BBC Race Across The World viewers spot problem with ending as Alfie and Owen respond

BBC Race Across The World is all over for another year as the series 4 grand final saw lots more twists and turns in the sprint for the final checkpoint.

Alfie and Owen, Eugenie and Isabel, Betty and James and Stephen and Viv all went head to head in the final crucial leg of the race which has taken them from Japan to Indonesia with a budget restricted to the price of a plane ticket.

The four groups - and eliminated pair Brydie and her mum - were challenged with racing across seven checkpoints using only public transport, no flights, and found out a lot about themselves along the way.

Viewers were scandalised when mum and daughter Eugenie and Isabel stole a taxi from Stephen and Viv, and were sobbing when Betty opened up about her rare MHKR condition while brother James hugged the cameraman.

Spoilers ahead!

In the final moments of the race, it was a straight fight between Alfie and Owen and Eugenie and Isabel.

They found out they had to get to an island off the coast of Bali and were forced to wait until morning to set off in the light. It was a speedboat race followed by an on-foot sprint to the finish and Alfie and Owen made it to the checkpoint on the beach with just eight minutes to spare.

But viewers spotted a problem with the ending.

Stephen and his wife Viv were a full day behind, but they had a huge amount of their budget left. Fans thought they could have got there sooner and maybe even won had they opened their wallet.

In a crucial scene, Stephen was seen electing to take a cheaper train in the final leg rather than use a taxi which could have brought them back into contention.

@organicalley said: “Occurred to me that the huge amount of money left by Stephen and Viv is a reminder that "you can't take it with you". #RaceAcrossTheWorld”

@brewersfayre1 said: “Alfie and Owen should be stripped of their title cos one of them said he turned 21 on the trip and that was proof of him growing up on it. Really dumb statement sorry.

Stephen and Viv, what was the point in having so much left? Quibbling over taxis for what? #RaceAcrossTheWorld”

@lornahannahmac said: “Viv and Stephen have enough money left to basically do the whole thing again #RaceAcrossTheWorld”

@kelllilelliloola said: “What exactly were Stephen and Viv saving their budget for? “

@nomorelaughs said; “Peak TV viewing. If Stephen wasn’t a tight b**** , they probably could have won. #RaceAcrossTheWorld”

@steve_evo said: “Stephen and viv still have enough to stay another month “

@nicholaslyles said: “So pleased Alfie and Owen won. Played a blinder and focused on themselves rather than try to put others off. Stephen should have spent some of his money #RaceAcrossTheWorld”

But fans loved the series and were thrilled for Alfie and Owen.

@caroleleaf123 said: “So pleased for Alfie and Owen. Shed a tear at the end. Along with Betty and James they showed us just how amazing young people are.”

@waitey93 said: “Probs one of my favourites so far that, what a adventure, worthy winners”

@andybrook1 said: “The boys did brilliantly to win and loved all the teams but my favourites were definitely Betty and James. So emotional and great to see them grow together. And finish with a budget of £1.48 remaining!#RaceAcrossTheWorld.

In the end, Alfie admitted he was open about his competitiveness from the start and it 'almost destroyed me'.

He said in the reunion show on BBC Two afterwards: "It absolultely destroyed me. Even when we were 24 hours up, in my head I was still like we could have done that a little bit faster."