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Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting 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 called "personal beliefs."

Race Exit 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 Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right 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 principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team informed Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment.

Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.

Massive Claim and Team Changes

"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."

He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.

In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.