🔗 Share this article Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Over 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken 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 factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for their input. Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual." He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers. Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.