Derek Gee-West (Israel-Premier Tech) has completed a three-year move to Lidl-Trek while simultaneously settling a legal dispute with his former team, which had lodged a €30m damages claim for terminating his contract.
The American WorldTour squad confirmed on Tuesday that the Canadian national champion has signed through the end of 2028, adding a proven Grand Tour climber to a roster being rebuilt around overall ambitions.
Gee-West, 28, unilaterally terminated his contract with Israel-Premier Tech, rebranding as NSN Cycling, in August 2025. According to The Guardian, the team responded by filing for around €30m in damages, alleging breach of contract after the rider cited an “irreparable relationship” with management.
While Lidl-Trek’s announcement focused on the future, a separate statement from NSN Cycling's social media on Tuesday confirmed that an agreement, approved by the UCI, has been reached to conclude Gee-West's contract, appearing to draw a line under the multi-million Euro dispute.
"NSN Cycling Team has finalized an agreement, approved by the UCI, with Lidl - Trek and Derek Gee-West, which will see Gee-West's existing contract with our team conclude," the statement said.
"NSN Cycling Team wishes Derek Gee-West the best of luck for the future with his new team."
A rare transfer under legal fire
The dispute with NSN forms the backdrop to one of the most high-profile signings of this transfer window. Court documents cited by The Guardian stated that Gee-West’s termination letter referred to concerns over rider safety in a crash-heavy season and to his personal beliefs in relation to the team’s Israeli identity and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which had prompted protests at several races.
NSN had initially contested that justification, taking the case to the UCI’s arbitral board. However, Tuesday's confirmation of a UCI-approved agreement indicates that a settlement has been reached, seemingly satisfying the team's demands without the need for a drawn-out tribunal hearing.
In the meantime Lidl-Trek have moved to secure one of the market’s most coveted Grand Tour riders. The team’s announcement framed the deal in strictly sporting terms, with general manager Luca Guercilena stressing Gee-West’s value as a stage race leader.
“Bringing Derek on board is a big boost for us,” Guercilena said. “Over the last three years he has shown an incredibly high level in stage races and Derek will have the full support of our performance resources to fully realise his potential.”
Gee-West, for his part, focused on the step up in competitive environment.
“It is pretty special to be joining Lidl-Trek, this is an organisation operating very close to the gold standard in our sport,” he said. “I am really looking forward to racing with shared ambitions, playing different cards in stage races and Grand Tours is something new for me.”
Why Gee-West matters to Lidl-Trek’s Grand Tour project
Beyond the legal context, the move is significant because of what Gee-West brings on the road. He turns 29 in August and arrives at Lidl-Trek on the back of a two-year progression from breakaway specialist to consistent Grand Tour contender.
He first broke through at the 2023 Giro d’Italia, finishing second on four stages and taking runner-up positions in both the points and mountains classifications. In 2024 he shifted towards overall racing, winning stage 3 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, placing third overall and then finishing ninth on debut at the Tour de France.
He opened 2025 with overall victory and the mountains jersey at O Gran Camiño before taking fourth at the Giro, confirming his ability to compete across three weeks in the high mountains.
He now slots into a Lidl-Trek structure that is being reshaped around a multi-leader Grand Tour model. The team have already signed Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) to target the Tour de France and retain Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), a top-five finisher at the Vuelta a España.
With additional mountain support from riders such as Lennard Kämna (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Matteo Sobrero (Bahrain Victorious), Lidl-Trek now have the option to field multiple GC threats in each Grand Tour rather than building entirely around a single leader.
Gee-West’s versatility is central to that plan. A former track specialist and strong time triallist, he has shown he can compete on summit finishes, gravel stages and in week‑long stage races, providing Lidl-Trek with both a Giro podium candidate and depth for the Tour or Vuelta if needed.
The team have not yet confirmed which Grand Tours he will ride in 2026. Given Ayuso’s anticipated leadership at the Tour, Gee-West appears an obvious option for the Giro, where he has already shown he can carry GC responsibility.
