Derek Gee has said he terminated his contract with Israel–Premier Tech following “serious concerns related to racing for the team” and a “personal-belief standpoint”.
Gee revealed in August that he had terminated his contract with Israel–Premier Tech, while the team said the Canadian’s contract was valid until 2028. Gee was pulled from the team’s Vuelta a España squad at short notice.
Providing an update on his situation yesterday, the 28-year-old said in a statement published on social media that he is facing what he understands to be damages of approximately €30m.
When Gee first announced the termination of his contract with Israel–Premier Tech, he said “certain issues simply made my continuation at the team untenable”.
Gee explained yesterday: “I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work under existing circumstances.
“The 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.
“But what moves me most is how, when human issues are involved, money becomes the headline; money was not the issue that led to my termination. Leaving has meant the risk of having no team or protection if I get injured without [a] contract. It is a risk I was – and still willing – to take, as I was simply unable to continue racing for the team.
“I understand the team sees it differently, and that this will be for the competent authorities to decide; however, 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.
“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. These actions are also a reflection of the very issues that led to the breakdown of the relationship to begin with.
“It strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts."
Israel–Premier Tech were the subject of continued protests throughout La Vuelta from pro-Palestine demonstrators, who objected to their participation in the race and accused the team of “sportswashing”.
The protests led to stages being shortened and the team removing ‘Israel’ from their jerseys.
Since the race, Factor and Premier Tech, two sponsors of Israel–Premier Tech, threatened to withdraw their support if the team did not change its name.
On Monday, it was revealed that Israel–Premier Tech would change its name and national identity, while co-founder Sylvan Adams will also step back from his day-to-day involvement and will no longer speak on behalf of the team.
