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Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations

Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.

"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for their input.

Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection 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.

Substantial Demand and Team Changes

"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."

He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.

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

Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.