There's a moment where Skulduggery thinks he might actually catch Max's car before he reaches Ava, but right out of the gate he'd realized he was no match. He hits the steering wheel a few times as Max outstrips the Bentley, groaning in dismay as Ava falls breezily into the other car.

At least the phones aren't working, so Max and Ava can't call him up to gloat...

Skulduggery barely lets up on the gas, however, because the race may be over but there is an entire expanse of desert to explore, and the Bentley is here, impossible as it is. He hopes the road loops the way the forest did. That would mean he could drive forever. (And never have to stop and acknowledge Max's win... Of course, if Max pulls over, so will he.)