Transfer saga finally ends: Derek Gee officially joins Lidl-Trek

Derek Gee-West will ride for Lidl-Trek over the next three seasons. The UCI has approved an agreement between NSN Cycling, the team with which Gee-West still had a contract, and the German WorldTeam.

This puts an end to a transfer saga that had been ongoing since August. During that period, the 28-year-old Canadian announced that despite having a contract with NSN Cycling (the successor to Israel-Premier Tech) until the end of 2028, he would leave the team. Later, he stated that this decision was based on safety concerns and personal convictions regarding Israel’s war in Gaza.

He referred to pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, which especially during the Vuelta a España created unsafe situations within the peloton. However, his employer did not let this go and filed a case with the UCI. Gee-West claimed he was facing a damage claim of 30 million euros.

But it will not come to that. Gee-West wants to refocus on the sporting aspect over the next three seasons. "From the outside, you can already see that this is an organization operating very close to the gold standard in our sport, and that really appealed to me. The ambition, the structure, and the talent pool of the team are impressive, and it feels like the right environment for the next phase of my career," he says.

Although he will have to fight for selections against riders like Juan Ayuso, Mattias Skjelmose, and possibly even Tao Geoghegan Hart returning, Gee-West sees that as an advantage. "I’m really looking forward to racing with shared ambitions and multiple options within the team. Being part of a group where we can play different cards in stage races and grand tours is new to me. I’m eager to learn from that and further develop as a GC contender."

Team manager Luca Guercilena completes his squad with the arrival of Gee-West. He sees the Canadian as an additional boost for his outfit. "Over the past three years, he has shown an incredible high level in stage races, and we are confident we haven’t seen his limit yet. Derek will receive full support from our performance resources to fully realize his potential."