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

Race Exit and Underlying Reasons

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

"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.

He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, 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.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.

Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.

Substantial Demand and Rebranding News

"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."

He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.

It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.

In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.