17. Start of the Mountains

Kaburagi and Aoyagi, who had fallen behind, catch up to their team, and Sohoku is finally reunited. With five of their members together, the team begins to see hope. Sakamichi thinks of his promise to race against Manami once again as he rides. Meanwhile, the lead pack has already left the flats and entered the mountain stage! In anticipation of the mountain result and the finish line that lies beyond it, the lead pack starts to pick up momentum. Hakone Academy's Manami is also thinking of Sakamichi, but Kuroda is cautious about Kyoto Fushimi's movements. And when Midousuji and his team attack, a back-and-forth battle begins!