Imaizumi and Kinjou experience feelings of panic when they end up becoming separated from their team members.

The Sohoku High School Bicycle Racing Club has concluded their fierce battle at the Inter-High. First year Onoda Sakamichi and his classmates Imaizumi and Naruko switch to new bikes and are preparing for new battles on a team without the third-years.

Sakamichi is unable to recover from the shock of Makishima leaving the club.

Sohoku's Sakamichi, Imaizumi, and Teshima participate in the fall Minegayama Hill Climb. As the general classification winner of the Inter-High, all eyes are on Sakamichi, but unable to pull himself out of his slump, he is overcome with uncertainty.

The cycling team reorganizes with first-year members Onoda, Imaizumi and Naruko under the leadership of Teshima as team captain and Aoyagi as vice captain.

Fearing the team will get worse now that the third-years are gone, Imaizumi makes a shocking suggestion to Naruko in order to help the team win. After hearing his suggestion, Naruko heads back to his hometown of Osaka.