It's since been made public by the trio that Hammond with his dog sled never came close to winning, he was days behind James and Clarkson, on the first day the truck had put them over 90 miles ahead and even with the added dramatic music and tension, Richard knew after the first day he wasn't going to make it to the North Pole let alone beat them to it, he was picked up by a plane shortly after James and Clarkson called him upon their arrival to the pole. Though Clarkson and May needed time apart after filming due to many on and off camera arguing and fall outs.