With 33 riders from 9 countries, the professional field was the largest ever since the separation from the amateurs. Seven-time former world champion
Erik De Vlaeminck returned after his absence the previous year, as did defending champion
Albert Zweifel. Zweifel attacked in the first lap but was caught by De Vlaeminck and
Peter Frischknecht in the third. In the fifth lap, Zweifel countered an attack by De Vlaeminck and gradually increased his lead. His closest pursuer was his fellow countryman Frischknecht, who, however, could not prevent Zweifel's repeated victory. The
1974 champion,
Albert Van Damme, finished fifth in his final World Championship appearance; he had participated in every World Championship since 1961, also in Hanover. Last year's third-place finisher,
André Wilhelm, suffering from health problems, abandoned the race. Approximately 10,000 spectators watched the race live. == Men's Elite results ==