The Qualifiers is a yearly race where the cycling clubs of many high schools from their respective prefectures compete in order to classify themselves to the Inter High. You can read more general information about the event on the Inter High Qualifiers.
The qualifiers for the Chiba prefecture took place during the second year from the main storyline events.
Known Participants[]
Ace • Ace Assistant • Sprinter • Climber • All-Rounder • Unknown
| Participants | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kashiwa Higashi High School | ||||
| #𝟜𝟙 | ||||
| #𝟜𝟚 | #𝟜𝟛 | #𝟜𝟜 | #𝟜𝟝 | #𝟜𝟞 |
| Kamogawa High School | ||||
| #𝟝𝟙 | ||||
| #𝟝𝟚 | #𝟝𝟛 | #𝟝𝟜 | #𝟝𝟝 | #𝟝𝟞 |
| Kimitsuyama School | ||||
| #𝟞𝟙 | ||||
| #𝟞𝟚 | #𝟞𝟛 | #𝟞𝟜 | #𝟞𝟝 | #𝟞𝟞 |
| Keiyou Makuhari School | ||||
| #𝟟𝟙 | ||||
| #𝟟𝟚 | #𝟟𝟛 | #𝟟𝟜 | #𝟟𝟝 | #𝟟𝟞 |
| Misato Higashi School | ||||
| #𝟠𝟙 | ||||
| #𝟠𝟚 | #𝟠𝟛 | #𝟠𝟜 | #𝟠𝟝 | #𝟠𝟞 |
| Sohoku High School | ||||
| #𝟙𝟘𝟙 | ||||
| #𝟙𝟘𝟚 | #𝟙𝟘𝟛 | #𝟙𝟘𝟜 | #𝟙𝟘𝟝 | #𝟙𝟘𝟞 |
| Matsudo Daisan School | ||||
| #?? | ||||
| #?? | #?? | #?? | #?? | #?? |
Summary[]
This is Issa Kaburagi's debut race as a member of team Sohoku. He is unexpectedly nervous and suffers from a stomachache. Shoukichi Naruko and Shunsuke Imaizumi talk about Issa as they warm up. Shunsuke points out that Issa probably isn't used to being in a team. Junta Teshima approaches Issa before the race to make sure he is alright, and to ask him what what purpose he races for. Issa laughs and confidently responds that he rides to win. During the pre-race meeting Junta called, Issa asks the third year if he can serve as Sohoku's ace during this race, going so far as to say that he doesn't need any support. Junta agrees to Issa's request, annoying Shoukichi by doing so.
When the race starts, Issa immediately intends to pull ahead, but something on the road punctures his bike's back tire. The other competitors pass him and he stops, desperately trying to think of a solution. He thinks of returning to the start of the race for a replacement tire, but he is already 2km into the course, so there isn't enough time. Some race officials notice Issa's plight and contact the base for a replacement tire. Issa is left waiting for the manager, Miki Kanzaki, to bring him another tire. Issa is doubled over freaking out about the situation and when he finally looks up he sees that the other members of team Sohoku have stopped as well. He bursts out asking why they stopped during the race, and Shunsuke answers calmly that they are acting as Issa's support in this race since he is the ace. Issa is shocked that they would stop during a race to wait for someone with a punctured tire. He encourages the rest of the team to go on ahead because if they lose this race, they won't make it to the Inter High. Junta recounts the story of how Sakamichi Onoda waited for Jin Tadokoro during the previous Inter High and successfully caught up to the rest of the team, adding that he believes in the power of riding together as a team. As he finishes saying this, Miki arrives with the replacement tire for Issa's bicycle. Junta quickly changes the tire just before some of the other teams arrive, having completed their first lap. Team Sohoku begins riding again, and Junta announces that they should catch up to the other teams.
The other competitors believe that Sohoku is pretty much out of the race because they have fallen a lap behind. Junta takes one of the water bottles off his bike and tosses it to the captain of Kashiwa Higashi, Yanagida. Junta says that he plans to take the bottle back in about 9 laps, surprising the competition because this means he plans to catch up. Junta also pulls out the "tea time" line he used on the first year trio during the previous year's training camp. Junta asks Hajime Aoyagi to pull them away from the rest of the pack, and Sohoku speeds ahead. Shunsuke and Shoukichi comment that it's been a while since they saw Junta's scheming side. Junta explains that his teasing has a purpose; the other racers will cease being united against Sohoku because some will remain confident while others will nervously think that Sohoku may actually catch up. Issa is impressed by Junta's strategy and composure.
When the other teams try to pass Sohoku, Hajime reveals a new technique of his that appears similar to Jin's style. He takes in a lot of air, giving him a burst of speed that surprises Issa. In 9 laps, Sohoku catches up to the leading teams, wowing competitors and spectators alike. Junta approaches Yanagida amd ask him to return the water bottle. He then tells Issa that it's time for him to do his job. Shunsuke reminds Issa that he is the ace during this race, and therefore has the responsibility of taking the goal. Shunsuke pulls the first year along while Shoukichi and Sakamichi encourage him from behind, and Issa crosses the finish line followed by the rest of team Sohoku.
Known Results[]
After the Race[]
Issa is amazed that they managed to win despite being held back by his punctured tire. He basks in the glory of finishing first and thinks that he has strong seniors and that Sohoku is an amazing team. Despite all the encouragement they offered Issa during the race, it turns out that Shoukichi and Shunsuke weren't satisfied with Issa declaring himself the ace. They both wanted to take first place, and voice their displeasure, leaving Sakamichi at a loss since he thought they had a good atmosphere going. Shoukichi comments to Shunsuke that it's the first time in a while that they've been in agreement. Shunsuke suggests that from that day forward, Issa's nickname should be "Hothead", an idea Shoukichi agrees with. It turns out that Issa heard everything they said, and he thinks that maybe Sohoku isn't as great as he thought it was just moments ago.
Junta sees that Sakamichi is surprised at Shunsuke and Shoukichi's sudden change of heart. He approaches Sakamichi and tells him that they're the kind of guys who don't want to give up first place to anyone, not even their teammates. Junta doesn't think that it's a bad thing and that not wanting to lose to someone creates a bond. Shunsuke and Shoukichi use Issa's new nickname when they get their picture taken together. Issa appears affronted and boldly declares that he plans to practice a lot in order to surpass both Shunsuke and Shoukichi. When some reporters from a cycling magazine ask Issa the same question Junta asked him before the race he answers that at the finish line he thought that he did ride for his teammates, but after hearing what Shunsuke and Shoukichi said about him the first year loudly refutes his previous answer and says that the only reason he rides is to win after all.