Nick Pilgrim endured a difficult outing at the World Triathlon Junior Championships after crashing out in, Quarteira, Portugal, on Saturday.

Among a highly competitive field, the Bermudian athlete exited the 750-metre swim in 51st position, less than 50 seconds adrift of the leading pack as he headed for the first transition and on to the 20-kilometre cycle.

However, just as he was pushing hard to make up lost ground, disaster struck as the 18-year-old suffered a crash on the third and final lap, ultimately ending his race.

Spain’s Igor Bellido Mikhailova followed in the footsteps of his idol Mario Mola by claiming the title. It proved a topsy-turvy race in which bad luck befell three of the leaders and falls broke up the bike field, leaving Mikhailova flying out of the second transition and holding firm all the way to the tape after the impressive Henry Graf faltered.

Behind him, Portugal’s Joao Nuno Batista outran the pack to win silver and follow his 2019 World Champion brother Ricardo onto the prestigious Junior podium, while Britain’s Dominic Coy battled to an excellent bronze.

Mitch Kolkman agonisingly missed out on the medals, while Germany’s Justus Topper came home in fifth, followed by Gjalt Panjer Panjer came, Miguel Larramona, Luca Luberti, Esteban Basanta Fouz and Andres Prieto Villar rounding out the top ten.