SNEKKERSTEN, Denmark — The world cycling governing body has suspended the French federation for the rest of the year for a breach of rules.

The International Cycling Union says French officials were disloyal and broke the governing body's rules when they sided with organizers of the Paris-Nice race in March.

The UCI has been in a long-running power struggle with race organizer Amaury Sports Organization, which also runs the Tour de France.

The French federation ignored the UCI's warnings it would be punished for going ahead with the Paris-Nice race using French rules and doping controls.