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Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons

Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.

"I ended my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.

He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Official Stance and Legal Proceedings

Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case 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 Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.

Substantial Demand and Team Changes

"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."

He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement 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.

In related news, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.