Danish Team Saxo Tinkoff rider Matti Breschel has been compelled to terminate his partaking in the Giro d’Italia due to injury.

Breschel began suffering from knee pain on Tuesday and has been receiving treatments for that, but to no avail.

“This is of course a frustrating situation for me, being unable to proceed in the race. But during the last couple of years, I have had some tough times with injuries in my right knee, and I really don't want to take any risks,” he said.

“It doesn't make sense to continue in the race if I'm not on 100 percent of my capacity and run the risk of making things worse.”

The 2010 world championship silver medallist moved back to Team Saxo Tinkoff this year but has failed to show spectacular results. His best achievements have been seventh on a stage of the Tour of Qatar, thirteenth in Gent-Wevelgem and fifteenth in Paris-Roubaix.

Prior to his withdrawal, Breschel had had a very modest Giro d’Italia, placing ninth into Margherita di Savoia on stage 6 being his best showing.