In his role as perennial French hope, Moreau had said he wasn't going to give himself any undue pressure to win this year.
On Thursday, he tried to make the best of losing ground to the leader Rasmussen.
"It's not over. I was hurting in my hip, my morale took a blow," Moreau said. "But three minutes -- it's limited ... I'm going to try to put myself together before the big mountain stages."
Challengers like Moreau are looking to today's time-trial in Albi for a chance to make up ground against Rasmussen, who admits he is a "pure climber" and doesn't fare well in races against the clock.
One former French star said Moreau's not likely to be on the podium after Thursday's drab performance.
"For winning the Tour, his chances are nil," said Bernard Thevenet, who won in 1975 and 1977. "All that we want is a French winner ... it's not for this year. We'll wait some more."
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