UPDATE: Contract row erupts as Israel–Premier Tech fight Derek Gee’s reported move to INEOS: “We firmly believe his contract is valid until 2028”

The mystery surrounding Derek Gee’s surprise omission from Israel - Premier Tech’s 2025 Vuelta a Espana line-up may now have an explanation. According to reporting from Daniel Benson’s Substack and corroborated by Italian journalist Ciro Scognamiglio, the Canadian is set to leave Israel - Premier Tech and sign with INEOS Grenadiers in what would be one of the most eye-catching transfers of the window.

Neither team has made any official comment, but the move would represent a significant coup for INEOS as they continue their rebuild around a mix of Grand Tour contenders and versatile stage hunters. Gee, 26, emerged as one of the breakthrough stars of the 2023 Giro d’Italia with his relentless attacking style, string of podium finishes, and dogged consistency in the breakaways. Since then, he has consolidated his reputation as one of the most dynamic riders in the peloton, capable of excelling in both stage races and one-day events.

Gee’s absence from Israel - Premier Tech’s Vuelta roster raised eyebrows when it was first announced, with the team suggesting it was due to a training accident. However, with transfer speculation now in full swing, Benson’s reporting offers a different perspective, with Gee’s non-selection potentially linked to behind-the-scenes negotiations and his impending departure.

Attempts to seek clarification have so far been met with silence. Gee’s agent has refused to comment, and Israel–Premier Tech owner Sylvan Adams has not responded to calls. The radio silence only adds weight to suggestions that a deal with INEOS is close to completion.

If confirmed, the transfer would be a huge loss for Israel - Premier Tech, who had built much of their medium-term sporting project around Gee after signing him in 2021. His consistency in stage races, ability to rack up UCI points, and marketability as one of Canada’s biggest cycling exports made him central to the team’s ambitions.

For INEOS, however, Gee represents exactly the type of rider they have been seeking: aggressive, resilient, versatile, and yet still with scope for development. The British superteam have struggled in recent seasons to balance their Grand Tour ambitions with a need for stage-winning flair, but Gee’s arrival would immediately give them a rider capable of animating races in multiple terrains and across different roles.

While nothing has yet been made official, Benson’s scoop has thrown fresh light on one of the more puzzling omissions from this year’s Vuelta start list. Should the move materialise, it would not only explain Gee’s absence but also underline INEOS Grenadiers’ determination to reinforce their roster with riders capable of making an impact on the sport’s biggest stages.

Israel - Premier Tech have now issued a statement addressing the situation, confirming they had received a notice of contract termination from Gee’s representatives. The team stressed that Gee remains under contract until 2028, having signed a five-year extension in 2023, and that he had been in discussions with management to renegotiate the terms of his deal.

“Israel–Premier Tech was unexpectedly issued a notice of termination from lawyers representing Derek Gee on Friday, 9 August,” the team said. “Gee, who is contracted 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. No further comments can be made at this time.”

The team’s hardline stance suggests any move to INEOS Grenadiers could yet become a drawn-out contractual battle. With the UCI now involved, the situation adds another layer of intrigue to one of the most dramatic transfer stories of the season.