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Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons

Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.

"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.

He noted 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 safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings

The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.

Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.

Massive Claim and Team Changes

"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."

He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.

In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.