As someone who loves cycling, this is just hugely depressing: Astana pulls out of Tour de France.

I hoped that this Tour would finish without a drug scandal, but it’s not to be.

PAU, France - Tour de France rider Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning last weekend’s time trial, prompting his Astana team to pull out of the race Tuesday.

The positive test of the Kazakh rider, a one-time favorite to win cycling’s premier event, dealt a heavy blow to a sport already reeling from a spate of doping scandals.

“Vino has tested positive having to do with a blood transfusion and the team is leaving the Tour,” team spokeswoman Corinne Druey said, using the rider’s nickname.

The positive test took place after the Kazakh rider’s victory in the 13th stage time trial on Saturday, L’Equipe newspaper reported on its Web site.