"... the best Maddo there ever was"

Is it possible for a motorcyclist to jump the length of a football field? Yes! Says Robbie Maddison – and did it on his Honda CR 500 on New Year's Eve at Red Bull Experiment, jumping 98 meters (322 feet 7 ½ inches). In an interview the Aussie talks about what that felt like, and how his world record jump in Las Vegas has motivated him for the new Red Bull X-Fighters season.

Robbie, how did you sleep the night before you world record attempt?

Surprisingly well – because I knew I was perfectly prepared.

And afterwards?

Not at all. We partied the whole night through! The next morning I had a press conference, and didn’t get to bed until the afternoon.

Describe what it feels like to jump the length of a football field on a motorbike.

You don’t feel anything because you’re concentrating 100 per cent on the job. First there’s the run-up at 160 km/h. Then, in the air, you’ve got to keep the machine as still as possible. And from the crest, which was at about 18 metres, you focus on the planned landing place. There’s no room for feelings or thoughts. It sounds stupid, but I can’t remember any of my practice jumps at all.

For a 100-meter jump do you need the courage of, say, 100 bungee jumpers – or is it also a technical challenge?

The ratio of courage to ability was about 60:40. At this speed and distance the tiniest movement, the smallest shift of weight in the air has a dramatic effect. But the greatest risk are the wind conditions ...

... which weren’t actually favourable on New Year’s Eve. What effects did these have on your jump?

Well, I reckon I had a bit of luck. I probably wouldn’t have jumped in these conditions at training.

You dedicated your record to the late motorbike stuntman Evel Knievel. How much did the founding father of all FMX riders influence your career?

He was the greatest of all time, and also the reason I got into this sport at all. I already admired him when I was a little kid. I also went to his funeral and met tons of great people there. Dedicating this jump to him was my way of saying ‘Thanks for your inspiration,’ which I and the entire sport owe to him.

The new Red Bull X-Fighters season starts on April 4. What can we expect from you?

The best Robbie Maddison there ever was! I spent half a year preparing for this jump, lived healthily, trained heaps. That’s why I’m in the best form ever.

According to that then, what do you predict for Red Bull X-Fighters 2008?

I’m hoping to bag the overall victory. The spots behind me will be shared by Nate Adams, Dany Torres and maybe Mat Rebeaud.