Man paid $2M by Red Bull to do Las Vegas motorbike stunt says $10M wouldn't make him do it again after the landing nearly cost him everything
Published on Jul 31, 2026 at 1:16 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 31, 2026 at 1:16 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Ben Thompson
This man was paid $2 million by Red Bull to do a wild motorbike stunt in Las Vegas which he now says he wouldn’t do again even if he was offered $10 million.
Robbie Maddison wowed the crowds on New Years Eve 2008 when he launched his motorbike on top of the Arc de Triomphe in Las Vegas.
As if that wasn’t enough to make your palms sweaty, the landing proved even more death-defying.
It’s no wonder that he’s ruled out a repeat, as this stunt could have cost him everything.
We’ve seen plenty of stunts that have left us feeling weak at the knees
Oftentimes, we associate extreme stunts with the movies.
With actors like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt willing to go all out in the pursuit of film excellence, it’s easy to forget just how risky these stunts actually are.
Whether it’s in a car or a plane, there’s plenty of stunts out there bound to make your palms sweaty and your stomach turn.
And the stunt pulled off by Robbie Maddison back in 2008 is a prime example of this.
Red Bull paid Maddison $2 million to do this death-defying stunt
Australian motorbike stunt performer, Robbie Maddison, has been described as the ‘modern-day incarnation of motorcycle daredevil supreme ‘Evel Knievel’.
It’s no wonder that he’s been bestowed this title.
On New Year’s Eve 2008, Maddison executed a soaring jump to the top of the Arc de Triomphe replica that stands in the Paris Casino in Las Vegas.
It was a truly remarkable moment, topped off by the Aussie proudly thrusting his fist in the air, to the rip-roaring applause of the crowd below.
Having achieved this would have been impressive enough, but he went one step further.
He proceeded to rev up his YZ 250 motorbike and drove it off the edge to land on a ramp below.
To say this was a risky move would be like saying Ferrari makes cars that aren’t bad to look at.
With onlookers undoubtedly holding their breaths, Maddison managed to land on the ramp and successfully complete the stunt.
He – and the rest of us – got to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Robbie Maddison says $10 million wouldn’t convince him to do it again
The stunt came with a cost, though it admittedly wasn’t as severe as what could have happened.
The thumping impact of his landing tore the flesh between his thumb and his forefinger.
But he took it in his stride.
“I’ve broken my neck, knocked my teeth out, broke my collarbone, punctured my lung, broke my left wrist twice… this is like a paper cut,” he remarked to Red Bull.
But a reprise of this motorbike stunt is totally off the table.
“I don’t care if you offered me $10 million – I wouldn’t do it again,” he said.
We don’t blame him.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
