With 6 kilometers to go Fukutomi accelerates and catches up to the front pack. Midosuji tries to calm his team and point out that it is all within the parameters he expected, but Fukutomi declares it won't be a two-team race. As Midosuji looks behind him, Sohoku rises up from the ashes and catches up. Realizing their goal has been met, Onoda begins to lose speed and nearly falls over twice. Fukutomi tries to convince Kinjou that his team is too exhausted to compete, but Imaizumi and Naruko help an exhausted Onoda as they manage to keep up. Onoda starts pedaling on his own, and Tadokoro and Naruko help the team draft up the mountain to keep pace with Hakone. As Sohoku and Hakone begin to pull away, Midosuji decides to try one last final move, phase 49. As the downhill battle begins the aces and their launching pads move to the front. Only 4 km remain in Day 2, and it is anyone's race to win.