"I broke up because of personal convictions": Derek Gee faces multimillion-dollar lawsuit after breaking up with Israel

Derek Gee decided a few weeks ago to terminate his contract with the Israel - Premier Tech team. Shortly after followed the Israeli team's statement, where it expressed disagreement over the departure. Since then, there has been a lot of speculations, but no updates. Ultimately, it was Gee who broke the silence as the Canadian wished to explain his point of view behind the decision through a lengthy statement via his personal Instagram.

The Canadian began by explaining the context of his current situation and the need to speak out following his former team's reaction: "I would like to address and clarify some speculation about my current situation following recent public statements from my former team that my case is currently before the UCI arbitration board. I know many people were hoping for an update, and while I cannot comment on the ongoing proceedings, I feel it is very important to share my side of the story."

Derek Gee then detailed the reasons that led him to break his contract, stressing that it was a considered decision motivated by personal and professional issues and despite the fact that nothing assures him of finding something on the cycling market: "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. 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 cyclist also wanted to clarify that his departure had nothing to do with financial issues, but with principles and personal well-being: "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 contract. It is a risk I was - and am still willing to take, as I was simply unable to continue racing for the team."

Finally, Gee lamented the legal consequences of his decision and reflected on what he considers a disproportionate response from the team: "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."

The Canadian closed his statement by criticizing the team's attitude and reaffirming his conviction that he had acted correctly: "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."