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Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations

Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.

"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.

Massive Claim and Team Changes

"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."

He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.

In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.