Derek Gee ends contract with Israel Premier Tech; IPT says 2028 deal stands

Derek Gee has publicly terminated his contract with Israel Premier Tech, saying certain issues made his continuation with the team untenable, while IPT maintained that his contract remains valid through 2028 and said it will pursue pursuit of upholding the agreement with the UCI and Gee’s representatives. The dispute comes as reports linked the Canadian rider to a move to Ineos Grenadiers, a possibility that has not been confirmed by either side and has not been followed by a formal transfer registration.

Gee, 28, joined Israel Premier Tech in 2023 after progressing from the team’s development program. He rose quickly to become a Grand Tour contender for IPT, finishing ninth at the Tour de France last year and fourth at the Giro d’Italia earlier this year. He had been listed for IPT’s Vuelta a España squad before a late change in plans, and reports of a possible mid-contract exit surfaced in the days prior to his public statement.

In a message posted on social media, Gee stated that his contract with Israel Premier Tech had been formally and duly terminated by his legal representatives. He described the decision as difficult but necessary, noting that certain issues made his...