Derek Gee claims Israel-Premier Tech contract is terminated over 'untenable' issues
The Canadian rider issued a statement on Monday to say that his position with the team was 'untenable' due to what he termed as 'certain issues.' Gee has been linked with a move to Ineos Grenadiers but denies he had spoken with any other squads prior to the termination of his contract, while IPT themselves continue to insist the contract remains valid.
Derek Gee has stated that he has terminated his contract with Israel-Premier Tech with immediate effect, which would leave him free to move to another team. He citied ‘certain issues’ making his continuation on the team untenable.
In a statement on his Instagram account the Canadian champion confirmed the termination and, despite having been linked with a move to Ineos Grenadiers, he denied he has already spoken to any other teams.
“I confirm that my contract with Israel-Premier Tech has been formally and duly terminated by my legal representatives,” he wrote. “This was not an easy decision, but one I made after careful consideration and for legitimate reasons. Certain issues simply made my continuation at the team untenable.
“I want to make it very clear, despite some current reporting, this decision solely concerns the termination of my previous contract with Israel-Premier Tech. In accordance with UCI regulations, I have not yet signed with, nor even spoken to, any new teams.
“I wish to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff and riders I had the privilege of working with in my time in the organization.”
In response the team have issued a statement insisting Gee's contract remains valid. "Israel – Premier Tech remains firm in its stance that Derek Gee’s contract with the team is valid. The situation is now in the hands of the UCI and legal representatives to resolve. No further comments can be made at this time," the statement read.
Gee had been due to represent IPT in the Vuelta España, but was not included in their roster for the Grand Tour in the days before the race, reinforcing the speculation about his future at the team.
Daniel Benson reported on Friday that Gee had signalled his intention to extricate himself from his contract, with Ineos Grenadiers reportedly interested in signing him as a GC leader.
Israel Premier Tech subsequently insisted that Gee remained under contract until 2028 and that they were in talks with the rider’s representatives and the UCI over the impasse. It is not immediately clear if Gee’s statement reflects a change in IPT’s stance on his contract status.
“Israel-Premier Tech was unexpectedly issued a notice of termination from lawyers representing Derek Gee on Friday, 9 August,” read the statement from the team last Friday.
“Gee, who is under his contract with Israel-Premier Tech until 2028, having signed a five-year contract extension in 2023, had been engaged in discussions with team management to renegotiate the conditions of his current contract.
“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 and uphold the respective contract.”
