Andrew Neethling of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team had a breakthrough ride at Round 5 of the World Cup Downhill Series on Sunday, piloting his Giant Glory race bike to a career-best third place finish in Windham, New York.

Neethling, the current South African National Champion, joined the Factory Team before the start of the 2011 season and, after some bad luck in the early rounds of the World Cup series, has turned it around with two consecutive top-10 finishes. After solid races in Canada and the U.S. the past two weeks, Neethling has moved up to 16th overall in the series.

Neethling’s improving form has given Giant a double podium threat. The team’s other top rider, British sensation Danny Hart, finished ninth in Windham and is currently fourth overall in the series. The third member of the team, two-time U.S. national champion Duncan Riffle, suffered a flat tire in Sunday’s race, dropping to 34th overall in the series.

Next up for the downhill riders of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team is the Crankworx Whistler event in Canada. The World Cup series resumes next month with Round 6 in La Bresse, France.