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Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."

Race Exit and Key Motivations

The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.

He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.

Substantial Demand and Team Changes

"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."

He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.

It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.

Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.