VIDEO: Robbie Maddison's Tower Bridge flip

July 13, 2009 1:48 PM

Daredevil biker Robbie Maddison has made a death-defying jump across the raised bascule arms of London’s Tower Bridge ... and even threw in a backflip for good measure.

Maddison, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest motorcycle jump, made the Thames leap in the early hours of this morning.

The motocross ace had to drive up the north side of the bridge at exactly 40mph to jump at the right height and perform the no-handed backflip, before landing safely on the south side.

Safety note: This is not one for you to try recreating during your morning commute.

"We had a matter of minutes on the bridge and had to time everything to the second - there were so many factors to get right, but we pulled it off," said the 27-year-old Australian.

A spokesperson for organisers Red Bull added: "We are delighted to have used London and the iconic Tower Bridge for Robbie’s amazing jump. London is an ideal backdrop to stage a spectacular feat like this."

The jump was a pre-cursor for the Red Bull X-Fighters event which will attract around 17,000 visitors when it takes place in London’s Battersea Power Station on the 22nd August 2009.