ReutersThe Dutch sprinter pulled out ahead of stage 17 with the remainder of the race dominated by mountainous stages.
Mark Renshaw, Graeme Brown, Tom Leezer and Dennis van Winden had all earlier dropped out of the race, leaving Rabobank - who are yet to post a stage win on this year's Giro - down to the bare bones.
"If he continued, he would need a long time to recover," a team spokesman said. "He is primarily a sprinter and therefore the rest of the race will not suit him."
The race continues with stage 18, a 187 kilometre route from Falzes/Pfalzen to Cortina d'Ampezzo.
