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Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions."

Race Exit and Key Motivations

The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.

He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.

Official Stance and Legal Proceedings

The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.

Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing for the team.

Massive Claim and Team Changes

"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."

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

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.

Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.