Katusha-Alpecin athletes will be paid their October salaries from the team's UCI bank guarantee after the sponsor failed to meet its financial obligations.

Staff and athletes had to wait a full month for their September paychecks, and while the funds were eventually paid by the team, there was a delay of approximately 15 days for the October payroll.

On Thursday, a team spokesperson confirmed that the October payroll has not yet been paid, but is only days away from being resolved. However, the UCI confirmed on Friday that it had begun the process of releasing the team's bank guarantee to make up the shortfall.

"The UCI is aware of this situation and is working with the teams to ensure that the funds from the bank guarantee held by the UCI can be released in order to ensure that the athletes and staff are paid," a UCI spokesperson told Cycling News.

A spokesperson for Katusha-Alpecin did not specify which sponsors have not met their financial obligations, but it is understood that the delay is related to late payments from the team's major sponsors. [Alexis Shove, Katusha Alpecin's lawyer, told Cycling News on Thursday.

"This is a normal delay due to cash availability at the end of the season. I don't think there are any problems at this stage. Riders and staff have been informed of the delay and we are told it is a matter of a day or two.

"It depends on the payments from the sponsors. Some of the sponsors have an agreement to pay at the end of the month, so we will have to find the funds. Of course, everyone gets paid. This is not something I like or personally find acceptable, but everyone is aware of this situation."

UCI WorldTour teams must provide a bank guarantee to the UCI at the time of season registration. This typically covers three months of wages and protects athletes and staff in the event that a sponsor abandons the sport or the team faces other financial problems.

In 2018, the Aquablue sports team was disbanded mid-season after the team's owners decided to stop funding the team; the UCI bank guarantee was used to cover wages.

Earlier this year, Bahrain-Merida riders had to wait a month for their December 2018 wages. In that case, the bank guarantee was not used.

The Katusha riders have endured a difficult year both on and off the bike. In the spring, rumors circulated that the team would disband. Then bike supplier Canyon and co-sponsor Alpecin decided to end their relationship with the team at the end of 2019.

Team management looked for a new sponsor but could not find one until the Israel Cycling Academy decided to take over the team license for 2020. The deal is still being reviewed by the UCI and a final decision on the WorldTour team registration is expected in early December.