Canadian cyclist Derek Gee says he is facing possible damages of more than $48.6 million arising from his bid to get out of his contract with the Israel-Premier Tech team.Ottawa cyclist says he is ‘simply unable to continue racing for the team’By Neil Davidson · The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 09, 2025 4:09 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoOttawa cyclist Derek Gee is in a battle to end his contract with Israel-Premier Tech team. (Christinne Muschi/Canadian Press)Canadian cyclist Derek Gee says he is facing possible damages of more than $48.6 million arising from his bid to get out of his contract with the Israel-Premier Tech team.But he says he plans to continue his fight because he is “simply unable to continue racing for the team.”The 28-year-old from Ottawa released a statement via social media on Thursday, saying while he can’t comment on “any ongoing proceedings,” he wanted to share his side of the story”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,” he wrote. “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.”Israel-Premier Tech released a one-paragraph statement when asked for comment on Gee’s message,”Derek Gee’s contract termination case is currently before the UCI Arbitral Board. For this reason, the team is unable to comment on the matter.”The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the governing body of world cycling.Israel-Premier Tech has been targeted by protests in recent months.A Montreal-based human rights group asked Mayor Valerie Plante to bar the team from competing in last month’s Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal amid the war in Gaza, where aid workers say a famine is unfolding.Israel-Premier Tech withdrew from three one-day races in Italy due to security concerns while its invitation to take part in the Giro dell’Emilia was withdrawn by organizers.The team has since announced it is rebranding and “moving away from its current Israeli identity.” It has yet to reveal its new name.It also says Canadian-Israeli co-owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day involvement with the team, instead focusing on his role as president of the World Jewish Congress.Israel-Premier Tech responded to a notice of termination from Gee’s lawyers in August by saying the Canadian had been in discussions about renegotiating the deal signed after he turned heads in the 2023 Giro.Team says contract is validThe team maintains Gee’s contract remains valid, saying the dispute is now in the hands of the UCI and legal representatives to resolveGee denied money was behind his actions.”I understand the team see it differently and that this will be for the competent authorities to decide,” he said in Thursday’s statement. “However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed 30 million euros — for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and as a person.”Founded 11 years ago as the Cycling Academy team, the squad became Israel-Premier Tech four years ago.Extensive Canadian ties to teamThe team has extensive Canadian ties other than Adams.Israel-Premier Tech is also home to Canadian riders Michael Woods, Hugo Houle, Guillaume Boivin, Riley Pickrell and Pier-Andre Cote. Steve Bauer, the first Canadian to win a stage at the Tour de France, is the team’s sporting manager.The team’s title sponsor, Premier Tech, is based in Riviere-du-Loup, Que.Jean Belanger, president and chief executive officer of Premier Tech, and fellow Canadian Kevin Ham, founder and CEO of Reinvent and Chit Chats Canada, are partners in the team.Gee was promoted to Israel-Premier Tech’s WorldTour squad from its academy in May 2022.
Ottawa cyclist says he faces millions in damages over bid to leave contract with Israel-based team
