After months of speculation, it looks like Derek Gee-West’s next move is finally taking shape: WorldTour team Lidl-Trek appears set to be his new home. Rumours have been swirling for weeks, especially after the national champion’s rocky exit from Israel-Premier Tech. On Dec. 13, journalist Daniel Benson reported the deal was “all but done.” Gee-West had previously been linked to INEOS Grenadiers, but with the signing of Oscar Only, Lidl-Trek suddenly makes a lot more sense.
Derek Gee-West and 2026
The 27-year-old left Israel-Premier Tech in August, despite having a contract running through 2028 with the team’s successor, NSN Cycling. Gee-West mentioned safety concerns tied to the Israel–Hamas war, including pro-Palestinian protests at the Vuelta a España. He said they created unsafe conditions for riders. Israel-Premier Tech disputed his departure and reportedly filed a UCI case seeking 30 million Euro, which is like 50 milly in Canuck bucks, in damages.
Meanwhile, Gee-West’s palmarès has been stacking up nicely. A helluva 2023 campaign got him noticed, and by 2024 he was finishing ninth at the Tour de France. Then came the 2025 Giro d’Italia, where he finished fourth overall — clearly cementing his status as one of the peloton’s top all-rounders.
He hasn’t raced since winning the 2025 national championships, but his form and potential make him a seriously attractive target for a team like Lidl-Trek, which could give him stability and a clear path for general classification ambitions.
Worst-kept secret?
Social media sightings have added fuel to the speculation: photos from Lidl-Trek’s training camp surfaced recently, but Gee-West wasn’t in them. A sharp-eyed CCM staffer noticed another clue: up to Dec. 14, he was using a Garmin 840 head mount, and a week later he switched to a Wahoo Element Roam 3 — coincidentally, Wahoo sponsors Lidl-Trek. If that’s not a hint, we don’t know what is.
If confirmed, Gee-West will join fellow Ontarians Isabella and Ava Holmgren, twins who signed with the team in 2024 and have already made their mark in the Women’s WorldTour. From contract drama to Giro breakout and now a potential new home alongside other Canadian talents, this saga has kept the cycling world guessing — but according to Ciro Scognamiglio of La Gazzetta dello Sport, confirmation could be just around the corner.
As much fun it is writing about all of this, this theoretical “reporter” would be happier to write about all the great rides the young man can have, in his national championship jersey. Bring on the 2026 season, fans….