Oliver Hayward described competing at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain, as one of the best experiences of his career.

The Bermuda triathlete finished 53rd in the junior men’s event on Thursday with a combined time of 58min 17sec, 4:12 behind race winner Thibault Rivier, of Switzerland.

“It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had,” Hayward told The Royal Gazette.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have been able to race on the world stage and, for once, feel like I was controlling my own race rather than spending the whole day trying to catch up.”

Hayward completed the 750-metre swim in 9:33, needed 28:27 to tackle the 20km bike ride and ran 5km in 18:26.

“The swim was, quite literally, a boxing match,” the 18-year-old said.

“The pace came almost to a standstill around some of the buoys as everyone fought for position, but I was able to stay composed and make the main chase pack alongside a few familiar faces.

“From there, we worked together to put pressure on the front group. We kept pushing throughout the bike and had there been another lap I genuinely think we could have caught them.

“That effort came at a cost and I was pretty shattered coming off the bike. Despite the tired legs, I committed fully to the run, opening with a 3:04 first kilometre.

“Unfortunately that was a pace I couldn’t sustain for the remainder of the race. As I headed into the second lap, the accumulated effort began to catch up with me and I slipped back from the runners around me.

“Yet, despite how tough the run became physically, it will probably remain the most memorable part of the entire race.”

Hayward soaked up the vibrant spectacle, stating that the support from the crowds and the occasion of racing alongside the world’s best juniors made it an unforgettable experience.

“The atmosphere was incredible,” he added. “The local schoolchildren were lining the course and screaming at the top of their lungs, creating an atmosphere that I’ve never experienced in a race before.

“Every time I ran past them, the noise seemed to lift me again. They made the hardest part of the race genuinely enjoyable and I certainly won’t be forgetting them anytime soon.

“Being able to stand on a Junior World Championship start line and representing Bermuda has already been something incredibly special.

“To then experience a race like today, surrounded by some of the best junior triathletes in the world, is something I know I’ll look back on for years to come.

“I’d once again like to thank the Bermuda Triathlon Association and everyone within the federation for giving me this opportunity.

“Regardless of where my journey in the sport takes me from here, this is a race and an experience I will never forget.”

Bermudian triathlete Nicholas Pilgrim finished thirteenth at the Africa Triathlon Cup Tipaza in Algeria over the weekend.