🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Ending Over 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post. He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings The team 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 international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment. Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but added 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 went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person." He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.