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Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. 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, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.

He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Official Stance and Ongoing Case

The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.

Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing 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 – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."

He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.

In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.