Derek Gee’s Giro jersey auction showed what an absolutely humble dude he is
Israel - Premier Tech sold team kit as a fundraiser for an important initiative
Photo by: SirottiCanada’s Derek Gee became the talk of the Giro d’Italia with his multiple breakaways and podiums, but he may not know just how popular he’s become. His team, Israel – Premier Tech, held several auctions of team jerseys and helmets that the riders wore during the Grand Tour. The money raised goes toward a project the team has in Rwanda, called “Field of Dreams.” It’s a bike centre in the city of Bugesera, Rwanda, and is part of the squad’s Racing For Change initiative. The money raised has gone toward building things like a pump track, a race track, and other amenities for cyclists in the area. The hope is that it “will change the lives of the Bugesera community and the wider Rwandan community.”
It will serve to enrich the lives of thousands of youngsters, serving as an educational tool to develop their skills in cycling and beyond, according to IPT.
Testing out the pump track at the Field of Dreams in Bugesera Rwanda ??
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this project during our Tour de France campaign. It’s amazing to see this project coming to life ? #racingforchange pic.twitter.com/83UJE4cysu— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) February 17, 2023
The team has also auctioned off jerseys from the Tour as well. After the first rest day of the Giro, cyclists were told that some of their kit from the first week would be auctioned off to raise funds. Even though Gee had stunned the cycling world with an incredible second place finish just days earlier, he still figured no one would want his stuff.
In-depth interview with Derek Gee on the Giro d’Italia and the seconds that count
According to a tweet from the team, he asked that they not list his jersey or helmet. “Can we just not auction mine so it won’t be embarrassing when there are no bids?”
Of course, as the race progressed, the 25-year-old kept scoring more and more podiums. By the end of the Giro, he’d finished second four times, as well as two fourths. He’d finish second in the points, second in the climber’s competition, second in the intermediate sprints, and 22nd overall. Not bad for his first Grand Tour.
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As you can imagine, he’s become a popular cyclist with fans and the cycling media.
His team posted about just how popular he’s become on Friday. “For the record, Derek, people are bidding! Your race-worn and signed jersey from your Stage 13 breakaway is up for auction here!”
Story time from the Giro ?
On the first rest day when we told the riders we would auction jerseys and helmets via @MatchWornShirt, Derek Gee asked “Can we just not auction mine so it won’t be embarrassing when there are no bids?” ?
For the record Derek, people are bidding!… pic.twitter.com/OHmJ1UJwFr
— Israel – Premier Tech (@IsraelPremTech) June 2, 2023
As of Friday, his jersey is listed at $1,187, the highest of any of the kits worn by his teammates.
So sorry, Derek. You were very, very wrong. And cycling fans couldn’t be happier.