With the rear gate slope race over, Sakamichi returns to Akiba to buy some more anime goods. There, he runs into Naruko Shoukichi, a boy with a Kansai accent who's riding a bike.

Sakamichi returns to high school where he runs into Naruko at the school's store. Naruko encourages Sakamichi to join the cycling club with him, but Sakamichi doesn't want to give up on the anime club.

The welcoming race begins. Sakamichi is excited to, once again, race against Imaizumi and Naruko.

With his new road racer, Sakamichi quickly moves up from sixth to fourth place and makes up a five minute deficit. The captain sees Sakamichi's determination and decides to test his skills.

Sakamichi finally catches up to Imaizumi and Naruko, stoking their competitive natures.

Determined to become the King of the Mountain in Minegayama, Sakamichi raises his RPMs to catch up to Imaizumi.

With the welcoming race over, each of the first years is given special training by other members of the team.

One day has passed since special training. The freshmen are in class when they learn that the Inter-High Preliminaries have started.

The Sohoku High bicycle racing club holds a training camp to prepare for the Inter-High. As a carsick Sakamichi makes his way to camp, he encounters cyclist Manami Sangaku.

The first day of training is over. Imaizumi, Naruko, and Sugimoto have all managed to complete 200km while Onoda has only completed 165km.

The third day of camp. While riding alone in the early morning, Sakamichi runs into Manami, the boy he met on the first day of camp.

After his meeting with Manami, Sakamichi is more excited than ever to take part in the Inter-High. In order to participate, Sakamichi realizes he must first ride 1,000 kilometers and begins matching paces and laps with Imaizumi and Naruko.

Second years Teshima and Aoyagi stand between the first years and their goal to finish 1,000 kilometers. In order to protect their lead, the second years challenge the first years.

After Sakamichi breaks through Teshima's impregnable guard, Teshima loses his will to fight. Aoyagi's insistence that they go to the Inter-High together, however, gives Teshima the strength to carry on.

After falling to last place, Sakamichi catches up to Imaizumi, Naruko, Teshima, and Aoyagi. Admist their emotions, the five boys clash in an all out sprint to the finish line!

Having completed the difficult training camp, Sakamichi has grown, but lacks the experience and strength of the other members. Disillusioned, he begins to give up on his dream of going to the Inter-High.

As Sohoku's team eagerly awaits the upcoming Inter-High, the Hakone club holds individual elimination races and fills all but one remaining spot.

The first years learn about the previous year's Inter-High and the rivalry between Kinjou and Fukutomi.

Sakamichi and team arrive at Enoshima, the starting point for the Inter-High. Nervous at first, Sakamichi's anxiety fades as his teammates cheer him on.

The first day of the Inter-High begins. Sakamichi hopes to finish with Imaizumi and Naruko by his side. As they enter the flats, the sprinter's get to shine.

All sprinters race toward the first checkpoint. Leaders Tadokoro and Naruko are pursued by Hakone's Izumida, a formidable opponent who's trained just for this day.

With only 700 meters until the first check point, Tadokoro, Naruko and Izumida are neck-and-neck.

The race to the first checkpoint comes down to three men. The battle is ultimately decided by their determination to win, and the race enters the mountain stage.

When Sakamichi falls and ends up in last place, Makishima takes over to lead the team through the mountain stage.

Now in last place, Sakamichi must find a way to pass 100 men and catch up to his team.

As he closes in on the top of the mountain, Makishima moves into second place, in place to challenge his rival, Hakone's Toudou, for the lead.

Arakita and Imaizumi help pull Kinjou and Fukutomi toward the finish line, hoping to help their team gain the advantage. With just four kilometers to go, Sohoku and Hakone find themselves in a dead heat.

Just before the finish line, Midousuji, astoundingly, closes in on the aces. In order to protect his ace, Imaizumi chases after Midousuji, pushing his body to the limit.

After a long first day, Fukutomi, Kinjou, and Midousuji's three-way battle ends in a three-way tie. As the winners of each section's checkpoint are celebrated, Tadokoro falls ill.

The longest stage of the three day Inter-High begins on the second day. With orders to climb the pass and catch up to Kinjou and Imaizumi, Sakamichi begins riding.

Team Sohoku's members are separated. Hakone Academy and Midousuji's Kyoto Fushimi sprint ahead, leaving a panicked Imaizumi and Kinjou behind.

Although Makishima and Naruko have met up with the group, Sohoku remains at a disadvantage. However, knowing Sakamichi and Tadokoro are catching up from behind, they once again pursue the teams in the lead.

Only 100 meters to the sprint checkpoint. In his battle against Midousuji, Shinkai propels himself faster than ever. In the face of such overwhelming power, Midousuji removes the tape on his thighs and rides at full strength.

With Sakamichi and Tadokoro caught up, team Sohoku finally has all six members. As if pulled along by Sakamichi's efforts, Imaizumi and Naruko begin riding as one.

The race seems to be going according to Kyoto Fushimi Midousuji's plan, but Hakone Academy regains their pace through their powerful trust.