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Watch Derek Gee go birding

The Olympian loves to go fast, but he also enjoys spotting some feathery friends

Photo by: Israel - Premier Tech

Derek Gee finished 6th in the final time trial on Sunday at the Tour de France, but when he’s not competing at high speeds, he enjoys a more leisurely pursuit: birdwatching. The Olympian, who finished 9th overall in his debut Tour, finds peace and enjoyment in spotting feathery friends during his downtime.

Gee is an avid birder who discovered his passion for birdwatching in August 2019. His interest grew even more when the Olympics were postponed to 2021. “It was a low-key way to spend my free time,” he said.

Derek Gee’s big year

In 2023, he attempted a “Big Year.” In birding, a Big Year is a personal or competitive challenge where birdwatchers aim to see as many bird species as possible within a single calendar year. Birders often undertake a Big Year to test their skills, track their progress, and compete with others. The goal is to identify and record as many different species as possible, often focusing on specific geographic regions or countries. (You might argue that 2024 was his big year for cycling. Third at the Critérium du Dauphiné, 9th at the Tour? Although, given it’s only his second year as a full-time road pro, maybe an even bigger one is on the way…)

Birds around the world

Given his travels, Gee gets to see a variety of different birds, a big plus for someone with his passion.

“This sport takes me to incredible locations,” he said. “I’ve already explored Australia, the U.A.E., and various parts of Europe, so the tally can be impressive.”

Watch Steve Bauer in team car during Derek Gee’s big Tour breakaway

Naturally, during races, he doesn’t fully indulge his inner Robert Bateman, prioritizing the race over birdwatching. “It depends on how monotonous the race is,” he adds. “Although it would be risky to look up at birds; I might accidentally crash into someone.”

Flying to Paris

The Ottawa native is headed to Paris, where, along with Mike Woods, he will be racing in the road race. Gee will also contest the time trial at the Olympics. Although the City of Lights isn’t exactly known for its ornithological delights, Gee may spot some when he’s not busy racing. Paris hosts a variety of bird species, with around 80 to 100 different kinds typically observed. The city’s parks, gardens, and rivers provide habitats for common species like pigeons, sparrows, and crows, as well as more interesting birds such as herons, ducks, woodpeckers, and various warblers. Another rare visitor is the Peregrine Falcon, which, while more common in some urban areas, is less frequently seen in Paris. (As a fellow birder, I’ve always been a big fan of the Peregrine.) You can sometimes spot these birds of prey on the Eiffel Tower itself. In fact, in 2013, the first falcons hatched in Paris were born on the famous landmark.

On Wednesday, Israel – Premier Tech posted a terrific short video about Gee from the off-season as he was both birdwatching, and chatting about it. Check out the clip below!