Derek Gee-West to make early debut for Lidl-Trek at UAE Tour

New Lidl-Trek signing Derek Gee-West is set to make an earlier-than-expected debut for his new team at the UAE Tour from Monday (Feb 16-22). Gee-West – who may also debut a new national champ's jersey design – will face stellar competition in his first race since the National Championships in late June last year, lining up against top favourite Remco Evenepoel and a UAE pairing that includes Isaac Del Toro, one of his big rivals at the 2025 Giro d'Italia where Gee finished fourth. He'll join Lidl-Trek co-leader Jonathan Milan who won two stages in 2025, with support including climbing domestiques Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Patrick Konrad. Gee-West’s arrival adds extra piece to Lidl-Trek’s GC puzzleThe Canadian’s contentious departure from Israel-Premier Tech is confirmed, and Lidl-Trek’s leadership conundrum gets even more complicated.Escape CollectiveKit Nicholson