Yowamushi Pedal

Izumida, Tadokoro, and Naruko race toward the first checkpoint amidst strong winds.

Izumida, Tadokoro, and Naruko have revealed all their techniques. Now there's only 700 m left to the first check point. All three go all out and continue to increase their speed. However the wind becomes stronger than ever before and starts pushing over some of the cones. In the end it will be the wind, cones, and experience that decides who takes the first check point, and the result will leave most of the pack shocked.

Onoda Faces a Wreck and Must Decide Whether to Retire from the Race

Sprinters return to the pack after the first checkpoint, earning congratulations for Tadokoro and Naruko while Sohoku advances. Approaching the feed station, Minami predicts an accident via the wind. Onoda, struggling to keep pace, cannot avoid the crash and is injured. Upon regaining consciousness, he notices the sky and realizes his bike chain has come off. After reattaching the chain, race officials approach Onoda, who is currently in last place, and ask if he wishes to withdraw from the competition.

Toudou reveals past race history with Makishima and advances in the Inter-High

Toudou, the ace climber from Hakone, claims he and Makishima are tied at 7 wins each in 14 races. In truth, they raced 15 times, excluding one where Makishima’s chain broke. The Inter-High serves as their tiebreaker. Despite Toudou’s urging, Makishima remains silent. Arakita instructs Toudou to proceed, noting Sohoku has only one climber. Toudou curses his teammates for their lack of preparation and accelerates past rivals toward the front. Makishima appears motivated rather than depressed. He informs Arakita that everything will change in 3 minutes. This statement hints at an imminent shift in the race dynamics, contrasting with Toudou’s current lead and the team’s perceived disadvantage.

Onoda attempts to pass one hundred men while facing Midosuji's hidden secret

After finishing last, Onoda must overtake one hundred competitors. Teshima encourages him to focus, and the support team restarts his effort. The small mountain roads and the pack ahead make the task difficult, but an anime song lifts his spirits. Onoda counts each person he passes. Arakita claims Onoda cannot catch them before day ends due to the narrow road. At the final man, Onoda encounters Midosuji, who reveals a secret that would let him win all legs if he tried. Onoda passes Midosuji and rejoins his teammates. He becomes the head of his team's drifting pack, while Makishima begins a breakaway using spider climbing techniques.

Toudou and Makishima battle for the summit title as other riders prepare for the next leg.

Toudou holds an easy lead but feels uneasy about winning the King of the Mountain segment too effortlessly. As he approaches the peak, Makishima closes the three-minute gap to take second place. The two cyclists race toward the summit to break their tie and secure the mountain title. Once the winner of the mountain stage is determined, the leading riders begin their strategic moves to the front. This shift in position sets the stage for the competition to claim the winner's spot for Leg 1 of the race.

Arakita and Imaizumi assist Kinjou and Fukutomi in a critical race moment

Arakita and Imaizumi help pull Kinjou and Fukutomi toward the finish line, hoping to help their team gain the advantage. The history of how Arakita became a racing demon is revealed, and Imaizumi realizes what it is he needs to do to help his team succeed. As the four racers get 500 yards from the finish, Sohoku and Hakone find themselves in a dead heat.

The Strong Three: Kinjou, Fukutomi, and Midousuji battle for the lead in a dramatic three-way tie.

Kinjou and Fukutomi attempt to secure the day one victory, shocking the group when Midousuji rapidly closes the gap from behind. Imaizumi struggles to block Midousuji but fails to stop the surge. Midousuji shares his ambition to overtake the competitors with fifty yards remaining. However, upon reaching that specific distance, the race results in a three-way tie between the top runners. The trio sprints toward the finish line together. Following the arrival of the other participants, the ceremony for the first leg awards takes place to conclude the event.

Tadokoro falls ill while Imaizumi questions his racing motives during the night of hope.

Tadokoro suffers from an illness that prevents him from keeping food down. Imaizumi reflects on his decision to let Midosuji pass him in Leg 1 of the race. Members of the Sohoku racing team struggle with their health issues during this difficult night. Onoda experiences an unexpected visit from his mother. The following day begins with Tadokoro explaining the racing order for Leg 2. Onoda recalls an assignment given to him by Kinjou the previous night. As the teams prepare to depart for Hakone, Makishima notices that Tadokoro has not yet reached the start line.

Tadokoro reveals illness and sings with Onoda to catch up while Hakone Academy reunites with their ace.

Tadokoro claims he is giving everyone a handicap so they can race him, but as he leaves he is unable to climb at full strength. Makishima tells Onoda and Naruko that they must leave him behind, and when they keep pestering him he finally reveals that Tadokoro has fallen ill. Instead of listening to Makishima, Onoda reminds Makishima of the orders he has been given. Onoda remains behind while Naruko and Makishima keep moving on. Tadokoro finally catches up to Onoda, and Onoda convinces him to help him on the chorus of the Love Hime opening song, Love Princess Pancake. By singing the chorus/refrain continually they slowly begin to catch up and end up with the pack. Meanwhile Hakone Academy's entire team has caught up to their ace, and Kyoto Fushimi has pullen away from the pack to join Midosuji. Midosuji tells Imaizumi that all the players are here as he claims Sohoku has made a fatal judging error in not saving anyone for Day 2.

Shinkai Hayato challenges Midosuji while revealing his past trauma and team role.

Midosuji dismisses Sohoku as a threat and accelerates his team to catch Hakone Academy within two minutes. Near the sprint marker, he challenges Hakone, but Shinkai Hayato stops Izumida to accept the race himself. Izumida explains that number 4 designates the ace sprinter. Hayato leads effortlessly, causing Midosuji to panic and exert maximum effort to keep up. A flashback reveals Hayato nearly quit cycling after hitting a mother rabbit, with Juichi promising he can wear tag number 4 if he returns next year. The race concludes with Midosuji in despair as Hayato pulls further ahead, having run without pride.

Naruko and Makishima catch Kinjou and Imaizumi while Hayato faces his past fears.

Naruko and Makishima detain Kinjou and Imaizumi, who refuses to draft. As other teams advance, Sohoku members learn Onoda and Tadokoro are closing in, boosting morale. Kinjou leads to block passers while Sohoku chases Hakone and Kyoto Fushimi. Midosuji, having toyed with Hayato, overtakes him easily but restricts passing to the right. Hayato overcomes his trauma from killing a rabbit through special training, transforming into the Demon of Hakone. He passes Midosuji with 500 meters remaining. Desperate, Midosuji removes leg tape to regain speed. With less than 200 meters left, Midosuji catches up, leaving the sprint winner undecided.

Hayato and Midosuji race for the sprint checkpoint while Onoda and Tadokoro bond during the climb.

Hayato and Midosuji compete for the Sprint Check point, with Midosuji winning by .02 seconds by shifting his weight backward. Sohoku arrives in third place, prompting Makishima to note that the second stage’s climb up Mt. Fuji favors Onoda. Onoda and Tadokoro catch up to Kumamoto Daiichi and the Higo Super Express. Tadokoro credits Onoda’s drafting for his recovery and suggests singing, recalling Coach Pierre’s lesson that bicycles are for fun. This realization highlights the joy of cycling rather than the song itself. In the final 30 kilometers, they rejoin their teammates, shifting the atmosphere for Sohoku. Kinjou orders Makishima and Onoda to lead the team up Mount Fuji to compete for the day’s title. Meanwhile, Hakone struggles, and Midosuji silently vows to end their rivalry.

Midosuji accelerates to phase 13, leaving Hakone sprinters behind as the crown passes.

Hakone’s sprinters fall further behind as Midosuji’s team abandons phases 11 and 12 to accelerate directly to phase 13. This strategy leaves Ihara and Yamaguchi behind Kyoto Fushimi, causing them to collapse and withdraw. Fukutomi pursues with Toudou, while Izumida worries about his own fate. Midosuji claims the mountain checkpoint easily due to a 4-on-2 advantage, declaring the crown has passed. Ishigaki slows down while reminiscing about his destroyed team vision, until Midosuji threatens to leave him. Midosuji asserts that victory requires abandoning everything. Ichigaki confronts Fukutomi about abandoning teammates, but Fukutomi denies it. With 8 kilometers remaining, Ishigaki notices pursuers. Fukutomi insists his team has no dead weight and that his teammates will arrive.

Sohoku Closes the Gap as Hakone Leads into the Final Descent

Fukutomi accelerates to catch the front pack with six kilometers remaining, dismissing Midosuji’s claim that the race is controlled. Sohoku recovers and closes the distance while Onoda struggles with exhaustion, nearly falling twice before Imaizumi and Naruko assist him. Onoda resumes pedaling independently, with Tadokoro and Naruko helping the team draft up the mountain to maintain pace with Hakone. As both teams pull away, Midosuji initiates phase 49 for the downhill battle, positioning the aces and their launching pads at the front. With only four kilometers left in Day 2, the outcome remains uncertain as the competition intensifies.

Road.1 Phase 49

Road.2 The Aces

Road.3 Akira

Road.4 Resolution

Road.5 The Three Kilometers to the Pharmacy

Road.6 Those Who Have

Road.7 The Pack Approaches

Road.8 Arakita

Road.9 The Fighting Dog of Kure

Road.10 The Domain That Lies Ahead