With no foreseeable end to the Covid-19 situation, Team Sapura Cycling have little choice but to cut down on expenditures, heading into next year.
The continental team had allowed four riders, who received offers from other teams, to leave at the end of last year.
Sapura team principal Sayuti Zahit said it is possible they will continue to pare down their squad at the end of this season.
"At the moment there are limited opportunities for us to race due to Covid-19, and I believe the race calendar will still be affected next season," said Sayuti yesterday.
"Although the Covid-19 situation is improving in a number of countries, I don't think we can expect a normal race schedule next year.
"I think at best we can only expect about 70 per cent of races to be back next year, so we will still be short of races to compete in.
"We do not need to have a large number of riders for the time being. as we don't have to split the team into two or three squads to join different races (which are held at the same time).
"So, we will either look to maintain what we have or maybe let a few riders go. It will depend on what races are confirmed for the first half of next year.
"With the current economic situation still uncertain, it is important for us to be cautious with our finances.
"If the situation improves next year, we can always bring in more riders during the June-July transfer window."
The Sapura squad this year feature Le Tour de Langkawi yellow jersey winner Danilo Celano along with fellow Italian Pierpaolo Ficara, Irishman Jesse Ewart, Ahmet Orken (Turkey) and Christian Raileanu (Moldova) who completes their foreign rider lineup.
The local riders on the books this season are Zawawi Azman, Nur Aiman Rosli, Muhsin Misbah, Akmal Hakim Zakaria, Shaiful Adlan Shukri, Saari Amri Abd Rasim and Hakimi Ajis.
Sapura had finished 11th out of 23 squads in the Tour of Turkey in April.