Derek Gee defends exit from Israel–Premier Tech as team seeks €30 million in damages

Derek Gee has revealed he faces a potential €30 million damages claim from Israel-Premier Tech after terminating his contract with the team, citing an "irreparable relationship" with team management and serious safety concerns.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Canadian defended his decision to unilaterally end his contract, which Israel-Premier Tech maintains is valid until 2028.

"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person's right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated.

"This decision was not taken lightly - it followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team, both from a safety and personal-belief standpoint that weighed heavily on my conscience."

The 28-year-old who last raced back in June when he became the Canadian road race champion expressed his shock at the scale of the financial penalty he potentially faces.

"I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately 30 million euros - for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person," he wrote.

Gee emphasised that contrary to speculation, financial matters were not behind his departure, "When human issues are involved, money becomes the headline; money was not the issue that led to my termination."

Israel-Premier Tech previously confirmed they were challenging Gee's contract termination. Their previous statement read, "Israel-Premier Tech firmly believes that Gee's contract is valid until 2028 and is engaged in continued discussions with Gee's representatives and the UCI to resolve the situation."

The dispute began on August 9 when, according to the team, they "unexpectedly" received "a notice of termination from lawyers representing Derek Gee." The team noted that Gee had "signed a five-year contract extension in 2023" and "had been engaged in discussions with team management to renegotiate the conditions of his current contract."

Gee had previously acknowledged the risks of his decision, noting he now has "no team or protection" if injured while without contract. Despite this, he maintained it was a necessary step.

"These are not the kind of numbers, or the kind of situation, any athlete expects when they dream of becoming a professional cyclist, and I believe it flies in the face of the very values that sport seeks to uphold," Gee stated.

The Canadian concluded that the situation "strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts."