PARIS, July 27 - Tour de France organisers said on Thursday they would be angry and sad if it was confirmed that 2006 winner Floyd Landis had tested positive for testosterone.

The rider's Phonak team said the American had failed a test for the male sex hormone during the showpiece event, which the 30-year-old won on Sunday.

"If the counter-analysis (B sample) confirmed the first result, anger and sadness would be the dominant feelings for all those who had been thrilled by the 2006 Tour de France," race organisers said in a statement.

"Now more than ever the organisers will maintain the firm attitude they have displayed since the start from Strasbourg."

Pre-race favourites Jan Ullrich of Germany and Ivan Basso of Italy were withdrawn immediately before the start of the Tour in Strasbourg after they were linked to a Spanish doping investigation.

"No matter how harrowing this news is for cycling, it nevertheless illustrates that the fight (against doping) by the Tour de France together with the teams and the sponsors is gaining ground in an irreversible way," the Tour statement added.

It was the first time in the history of the prestigious race that its winner had given a positive drugs test during the race and if Landis's B sample confirms the result of his A sample, the 30-year-old is certain to be stripped of his victory.

Phonak said Landis would not ride until the matter had been clarified and added that if the B sample also turned positive, the rider would be dismissed.

"We will have to wait for the counter-analysis and see if this gives a positive as well," Phonak director Juan Fernandez told Spanish radio station Radio Marca.

"It is very bad news. It is very sad. These types of things are really bad but if they happen we have to face up to them.

"If a rider does something wrong or bad he has to be dealt with. If the counter-analysis confirms the positive he must be punished. He will need to be expelled as has happened in other cases."

USA Cycling spokesman Andy Lee was reluctant to comment: "Because it's an anti-doping matter we can't really comment on it," he said.

"Out of respect for both the process put in place and the rights of Floyd as an athlete we need to let the process run its course before we can make any type of comment."