ð Share this article Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Termination Over 'Personal Belief' Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this yearâs Giro dâItalia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before Septemberâs Vuelta a EspaÃąa. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every personâs right when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post. He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Teamâs Response and Ongoing Case Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input. Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros â simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person." He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments. It remains unclear what the âŽ30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, IsraelâPremier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.