Cycling News has confirmed that the players and staff of Katusha Alpecin have not yet received their October paychecks. The delay is said to be due to cash flow problems. Staff and athletes have also had to wait several weeks for their September wages.

According to Cycling News, Katusha-Alpecin wages are usually paid at the end or beginning of each month, but two weeks have passed since the October payment was due and the riders are still waiting.

According to the team, the UCI is aware of the situation, but when asked for comment on Wednesday, the UCI did not respond.

The team's Russian owner, Igor Makarov, a member of the UCI's governing board, has decided to end his support for the team this year.

Alexis Shove, Katusha-Alpecin's lawyer, told Cycling News, "Everyone has been paid for September, but for October there is a slight delay.

"This is a normal delay due to cash availability at the end of the season. I don't think there is any problem at this stage. We have informed the riders and staff about the delay and have been told it is a matter of a day or two. So we will get it tomorrow or Monday at the latest."

According to Shove, the salary delays stem from payments from sponsors. He did not confirm when asked if it was due to outstanding payments from one particular sponsor.

"It depends on the payment from the sponsor. Some sponsors have an arrangement to pay at the end of the month, which means that they will not have the funds. Of course, everyone gets paid. This is not something I like or personally accept, but everyone is aware of this situation."

Katusha-Alpecin riders have endured a difficult 2019 season. The team's future has been uncertain since the spring, when Alpecin and bike supplier Canyon confirmed that they would not renew their sponsorship of the team. After months of uncertainty, the team's World Tour license was taken over by the Israel Cycling Academy.

Several riders were told they were made redundant as of September, and on Thursday, after a current rider on the team confirmed the delay in October wages, he added: "They were late in September too. I can confirm this."

Despite Shove's confidence that wages will eventually be paid, the team may have to resort to a UCI bank guarantee if sponsors refuse to honor their contracts. While sponsor debt may cause cash flow problems, the team's paying agent is ultimately responsible for ensuring that wages and bonuses are paid on time.

In 2018, the Aqua Blue team was disbanded in August after the team's owner decided to leave the sport. The athletes and staff had to rely on a bank guarantee from the UCI for part of their wages.

Earlier this year, Bahrain-Merida athletes were forced to wait several weeks for their December wages, but the issue was resolved by the end of January.