Derek Gee settling into new role as Giro team leader: “Fun at times,” but expectations are high

It is hard to believe Derek Gee’s road career only really took off in 2023. Just a year earlier, he was still riding for Israel-Premier Tech’s development squad, virtually unknown in the pro ranks. That changed overnight during the 2023 Giro d’Italia, where he finished in the top four in six stages, including four incredible second places. Just when we thought we had a breakaway artist on our hands, he went on to win the Canadian time trial title. Then in 2024, after casually finishing third overall at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Tour came calling.

Gee had simply wanted to test himself at the Dauphiné, but after staying with the favorites in the first two mountain stages, he decided to commit to the GC. He carried that mindset into his first ever Tour de France and surprised everyone by finishing ninth overall. That included a gutsy move in stage 9 on the gravel roads around Troyes. “I honestly did not expect to be in the top ten by the second rest day,” he said afterward. But in the third week, he never cracked.

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Israel Premier Tech had seen enough. After Gee’s breakout performances in 2023 and 2024, the team sat down with him and built a plan for 2025 with the Giro d’Italia as the main target. Unlike previous seasons, Gee was now treated as a true team leader. Altitude camps, tailored training blocks, nutrition, weight management. For the first time, he experienced the full package. “I am ticking all the boxes now and going through every single detail to get everything right,” the Canadian told IDLProCycling.com.

“It is not just about the result this time. What really matters is that as a team we are getting everything in place throughout this entire process. That way we can build something for the long term too,” Gee explained. “Mentally and physically I am in a completely different place. From the very start of this season the focus has been all in on one goal. Going for the GC at the Giro. Two years ago I went in with zero expectations and raced for stage wins. That was awesome. Last year I raced the GC at the Tour but with no targeted build up. This year it is completely different.”

That shift was confirmed by sports director Oscar Guerreiro, who guided Gee throughout the new approach. “Two years ago we noticed Derek recovers incredibly well day to day. He is also strong in the time trial and over the years he has dropped some weight to improve his climbing. Derek has the engine and almost never has a bad day, not even at last year’s Tour. Now we are treating him like a true GC leader and giving him everything he needs. All so that he can be in top shape for the Giro and go for the best result possible.”

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The fact that Derek Gee could not stay with the very best in the opening stages of the Tour of the Alps was anything but alarming. He had just come off a high-altitude training camp on Tenerife. After losing more time on day two, he admitted feeling “a little disappointed,” but sports director Oscar Guerreiro was quick to put things into perspective. “He is not fresh right now, but this race is not a goal for him. That was the case in Gran Camiño, where he won a stage and the overall. Same for Tirreno-Adriatico, where he finished fourth. After a long altitude camp, he is lacking race rhythm and that is exactly what he is here to find.”

“It is all part of the Giro build-up,” Guerreiro added. That sentiment was shared by Jakob Fuglsang, who will serve as Gee’s experienced domestique in Italy. “I am actually happy Derek is not flying here yet. That would be too early. We are in a good place heading into the Giro,” the Danish veteran said. “Can I still teach him something? I am not sure, because he already rode GC at the Tour last year and learned a lot there. But I can protect him and make sure his legs are as fresh as possible. That is my job. That is why I am here.”

“It is important Jakob is by his side, because he has been through this so many times. He is calm and in control,” Guerreiro said about Fuglsang, who will retire at the end of the 2025 season. According to the sports director, the positive atmosphere within the Giro squad is largely due to Gee himself. “Derek is always smiling. He is a kind person, very grateful and honest. He is a natural leader, the kind you want around. He used to be a helper, and now suddenly he is the team leader. The other riders respect him and enjoy having him around. Everyone feels comfortable with Derek.”

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Gee is not listed among the podium favorites or even expected top five contenders, and he is perfectly fine with that. “It is actually nice that people are not talking about me too much. It will not change the end result of the Giro anyway. The less pressure, the better. I just want to race freely and see where that takes me. Hopefully I can surprise a few people,” he said. Sports director Guerreiro agreed. “You can always have a bad day in a Grand Tour, but there is no reason to think he cannot fight for the GC. We are very curious to see how far he can go after the way he has developed in recent years and looking ahead to the future as well.”

“So far I would say it has been fun in different ways,” Gee said with a laugh when asked how he was handling the full team leader experience. “It is great to have everything planned for you and to know exactly what you need to work on. But on the other hand it is also really fun to go stage hunting with no pressure. There are still so many things we do not know because this is the first time I am going through all of this. A top five in the Giro would be a dream, but we are taking it day by day and just hoping the legs come good in the final week. That will be the real test.”

His strength lies more in his engine and consistency than in explosive climbing power. The goal is to rise in the rankings as the race wears on. Fuglsang is happy to help him get there. “The level in pro cycling has gone up so much in recent years. On a good day I can still keep up and maybe go for a result myself. But it is not like it used to be. That is why I get a lot of satisfaction from the role I have now. I try to support the younger riders and help the GC guys. Chasing results together is something I feel I am really good at.”

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])