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Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."

Race Exit and Underlying Reasons

Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.

He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.

Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings

Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team.

Substantial Demand and Team Changes

"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."

He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

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

Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.