A lone New Zealander scored a surprise victory over a strong European field in the 1974 Pernod International Cycling Grand Prix, on Sunday (7 April).

Vern Hanaray -- the only New Zealander in the race -- flew around the 107 mile Beaconsfield course in the Chiltern Hills outside London in 4 hours 15.15 seconds. Behind him came Joern Lund from Denmark, who finished with a time of 4 hours 15.17 seconds. Lund was second in last year's Grand Prix. British cyclist Phil Corley finished third, with a time of 4 hours 16.43 seconds.

Favourite for the race was last year's winner, Joergen Hansen from Denmark. Hansen finished fourth with a time of 4 hours 16.47 seconds.

Ten countries were represented in this year's Grand Prix, and ever 60 riders started. Ireland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and France provided cyclists, and there was a big contingent from British clubs.