Professional cyclist demands 30 million euros in damages

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee announced on Friday that he had received a €30 million damages claim from his former team Israel-Premier Tech.

10 October 2025

From: dpa

After finishing fourth overall in the Giro d'Italia, Gee terminated his contract shortly before the Vuelta due to "personal conviction." The Vuelta was subsequently dominated by pro-Palestinian protests related to the Israel-Gaza War.

"I have terminated my contract for good cause, as any person has the right to do who, under the circumstances, is no longer able to continue their work," the 28-year-old Gee said in a statement on social media. The decision resulted from an irreparable relationship with the team principal. He also had serious concerns about participating in the team race, both for safety reasons and "personal convictions that weigh heavily on my conscience."

The team's management declined to comment for the time being, as the case is currently before the Court of Arbitration of the UCI, the sport's governing body. While he risked being left without protection in the event of an injury, he was willing to take that risk. He understood the team's different perspective, but not the demand for damages. "And this, despite the fact that I was simply exercising my basic rights as a professional and human being." This lawsuit only validated his decision, even though there had recently been "announced brand changes and cosmetic structural adjustments."

Schlagwörter: cycling racing bike