"I can't tell you how good it feels to be back racing at this speed. I reckon I was smiling on the inside all the way down the track today," MacDonald said.
"When everything clicks, there's no better feeling. Thanks to everyone who's been patient. No one's wanted this podium more than me and, to be up there with Georgey, pretty awesome."
The 22-year-old Brannigan, the national champion, set the pace for the New Zealand gravity riders when he had fastest time until edged out by South African Greg Minnaar, who would finish second to Britain's Josh Bryceland.
Brannigan said a crash in qualifying at Fort William last week ultimately proved a benefit to his racing yesterday, along with some technical advice from the Trek World Racing skills coach and fellow New Zealander, Justin Leov.
"I was able to take a lot from what I saw in the Fort William finals and couple that with what Justin taught me this week, and really put it into great effect.
"It's only my second ever World Cup podium. I feel back on track, it's great."
The result sees MacDonald jump from 27th overall to 13th in World Cup standings, which gives him the all-important protected status at the next round in Canada in August.
There were solid efforts from other Kiwis, with Sam Blenkinsop 16th and Cameron Cole 23rd.
