The Rise and Resilience of Derek Gee: Moving On from Cycling's Bitter Split
Updated January 14, 2026, 01:40 PM
Derek Gee, a rising star in the cycling world, has emerged from one of the sport's most bitter contract disputes with a renewed sense of purpose. The Canadian GC talent, who recently parted ways with his former team, Israel-Premier Tech, is now ready to embrace the future with his new team, Lidl-Trek.
The drama began last summer when Gee abruptly left the team, backed by the influential Sylvan Adams. The departure sparked a heated battle, with press releases and legal proceedings dominating the headlines. Gee's racing future hung in the balance, but he remained focused on the road ahead.
"It was undoubtedly a challenging period," Gee reflected. "But I'm feeling fresh, motivated, and eager to rejoin the peloton. It's time to move forward."
And move forward he did. Gee's decision to go public with his desire to leave triggered a lawsuit from Adams, demanding an unprecedented $30 million in damages. As the case dragged on, Gee trained alone, maintaining his fitness and staying positive despite the uncertainty.
"The pressure was immense," Gee admitted. "Not knowing when or if the case would be resolved left me in a legal limbo for months. I never imagined sitting out an entire year, but I remained hopeful that a resolution would come in time."
And come it did. Gee expressed his gratitude for the timing of the settlement, believing he hadn't missed out on any crucial preparation for the 2026 season. Now, he's ready to put the past behind him and focus on the future with Lidl-Trek.
"I'm thrilled to join this ambitious team," Gee said. "The support is exceptional, and I see only upside in this move."
But what led to such a public and acrimonious split? Gee remains tight-lipped about the specifics, but earlier statements suggest it wasn't solely about money.
"There were various reasons, but I'd rather leave it in the past out of respect for all involved," Gee explained. "It's best to move on."
Cycling has seen its fair share of messy divorces, often over financial disputes or leadership conflicts. But Gee's departure from Israel-Premier Tech stood out for its mystery and intrigue, especially given the timing.
His exit coincided with the devastating Israeli invasion of Gaza, which left thousands dead and the Palestinian territory in ruins. The Vuelta a España became a platform for protesters to voice their anger towards Israel Premier Tech. These events led to Adams stepping back from the team's operations and the departure of Premier Tech as a sponsor.
As the team restructured for 2026, becoming the NSN Pro Cycling Team, Gee's decision to leave seemed to reflect his discomfort with the team's pro-Israeli tilt. In an interview with El País, Gee hinted at other reasons for his departure but remained elusive.
"I have my beliefs, as does everyone, but expressing political opinions can be tricky," Gee told El País. "I didn't want to use the Gaza situation as an excuse to get out of my contract. It wasn't fair."
The stress of the legal battle took its toll on Gee, who admitted to considering retirement at times. But with the arbitration case settled, Gee is now free to focus on his racing career with Lidl-Trek.
"The multi-year contract puts me at the heart of the team's GC ambitions," Gee said. "With the expertise and resources here, I believe Lidl-Trek is the ideal place for my next career step."
Gee's last European race was the 2025 Giro, where he finished an impressive fourth overall after a rough start. He won the Canadian road title in June and hasn't raced since, but he's confident his time away won't hinder his performance.
"It's like recovering from a broken collarbone—a temporary setback. I'm ready to get back in the mix and push my career forward."
With the legal battles behind him, Gee is excited to tackle new challenges with the support of a world-class team. His goal? To reach the grand tour podiums and continue climbing the ranks.
"I started late by today's standards, so I still have a lot to prove. One step at a time, I'll keep improving and aiming higher. For now, the podium is the target, and I'll work towards it bit by bit."
The road ahead is clear for Derek Gee, and with the support of Lidl-Trek, he's poised to make his mark on the cycling world.
