ADELAIDE, Australia — Lance Armstrong's chances of winning his comeback race have taken a big hit.

Allan Davis won the penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under and will carry a big lead into tomorrow's sixth and final stage around Adelaide. Today's stage featured two runs up the steep Willunga hill that often decides the race winner.

Armstrong finished among the main bunch and said he was happy with his performance. He had been in 38th place overall going into today's stage, 39 seconds behind Davis.

"That felt pretty good, better than yesterday," said Armstrong, whose placing today was not immediately determined. "We were there and I guess going in that's what I kind of hoped for, so no complaints."

Armstrong is making a comeback to racing after a three-year retirement.

After the two climbs up Willunga, the race came together and a group of around 50 riders contested the sprint to the line.

Before today, Davis led fellow Australian Graeme Brown by four seconds and Stuart O'Grady by 15 seconds. Brown lost touch with the lead group and Davis gained a time bonus for the stage win, meaning he would take a lead of about 20 seconds into tomorrow's street race.