![\"UCI](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-04040200-1331118525.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nGiant Factory Team rider Andrew Neethling \u00a9 Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe home support is awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cEven though the race didn’t go my way last year, it was an awesome experience having so many people come up to you and wish you luck.<\/p>\n \u201cThe crowd support is insane and not just for the local riders,\u201d he added, echoing a commonly held opinion among the top riders that the Pietermaritzburg crowd is one of the best to be found anywhere.<\/p>\n After the disappointment of crashing out on home soil in the season-opener, the Giant rider lifted his game and went on to finish the World Cup season in 15th place overall. He also won the South African National Downhill Championships and captured the Jeep Air downhill title at Crankworx Whistler in Canada.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is tough not to be very pleased with how the year went. I learnt so much and had a great time with the team,\u201d he said, looking back on 2011. His goals for 2012 are similar to last year and he wants to end the season ranked inside the top 10. \u201cI want to be consistent and push for podiums and wins all year long.\u201d<\/p>\n That push will begin on the Cascades MTB Downhill course and Neethling is raring to go. \u201cI feel training has gone really well,\u201d he said about his preparation for the new season. \u201cI put some serious and strict training in to be ready for this year. It has flown by though. I can\u2019t believe we are going racing again. It feels like yesterday that I was racing at Worlds. I think it is great to have a round of the World Cup series in South Africa. It is a fun course and exciting course to ride, but tough to race with the pedalling section. The course builders and (designer) Nigel Hicks do a great job,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Giant is one of the biggest names in the sport and Neethling understands the privileged position he is in as a pro rider on the team. \u201cIt means so much that a big company and team like Giant is behind me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI really am working with a great bunch of people. We have huge support at the races this year. I could not have asked for a better bunch of guys.\u201d<\/p>\n