Onoda fails to hold off Midosuji. Then he remembers the words from Naruko about how he clings to someone when racing and doesn't let go. Onoda begins to cling to the back of Midosuji's bike and is tricked into running off the road by Midosuji. Onoda refuses to give up and gets back on his bike. He catches up again just before Manami and Midosuji catch up to Fukutomi. Onoda, Manami, and Midosuji end in a 3-way tie when they reach Fukutomi, and Onoda admits he didn't realize he was racing. This gives Manami the chills, and he tells Fukutomi that Onoda is the bigest threat there. Meanwhile Imazumi decides to change Onoda's job. He tells him their job is to cross the finish line together to win for Sohoku. Midosuji decides to try and sprint ahead, but Imazumi matches his pace and refuses to let him get ahead. Onoda, Manami, and Fukutomi also maintain the same pace, making it a 5-man race to the finish with only 5km remaining.
チームの為に強くなる決意を秘め、懸命にペダルを回す坂道は、遂に前方の御堂筋と真波を捉える。御堂筋の持ちかけた「エースまで早く辿りついたものを、ゴールまで追い抜かない」という勝負に坂道も加わり、三つ巴の攻防戦が行われる中、坂道はコースアウトしながらも、なんとか二人に食らいつき…。
팀을 위해 강해지겠다는 결의를 품고 힘껏 페달을 돌리는 사카미치는 드디어 전방의 미도스지와 마나미를 붙잡는다. 미도스지가 꺼낸 말 "에이스까지 빨리 도착한 사람을 골까지 추월하지 않는다"라는 승부에 사카미치는 참가, 삼파 방어전이 열리던 중 사카미치는 코스아웃하면서도 어떻게든 두 사람을 물고 늘어진다…
