Newly-crowned MotoGP champion Marc Marquez had absolutely no expectations of even winning the race let alone the championship at Motegi today.

The Repsol Honda rider was expecting a tough race at the home of Honda in Japan, and admits he hadn’t even considered the likelihood that he could claim his fifth World Championship title today.

“You know, when I got up this morning I felt normal, normal pressure I feel normal nervous, just a normal race because I thought it was impossible to win the race here,” he said.

“But it looks like it was not impossible. We must not forget and when we have a small chance we must believe, we need to push.

“In the race I start well, I did a good start that normally never happens and then I saw the first laps that Valentino overtook me three, four times in a strange way and I thought that maybe he was a little bit nervous so I say ‘ok, I will try to push, try to open a small gap’.

“I push hard and when I see Rossi out I say ‘ok, now I will go for the victory’. I push, I did my rhythm like in free practice and I felt really good with the bike.

“Then I see Lorenzo out, then I forget everything. I missed a gear three, four, five times in the lap, I didn’t know what was happening, where I was, it was so difficult to concentrate. I look behind and see Dovi but I then I got back the concentration.”

After taking the win, the Spaniard says he had no idea what celebrations were in store because he didn’t think anyone in the team was expecting him to win the title

“When I crossed the finish line I say ‘ok, we will see what celebration we have because I think we are not ready, we don’t prepare anything. But the team always believe in me and they were there ready for me with the T-shirts and it was really nice.”

Today’s race win – which he later dedicated to his grandmother - marks Marquez’ first MotoGP victory at Motegi.

“It’s special to win here in Motegi, my first victory in Motegi in MotoGP and in front of our boss is important too.

“This title is maybe the title that I felt more pressure on myself, it was really difficult to manage through all the season but always I believe, I just keep quiet.

“I don’t want to forget my grandmother who always say ‘be careful but nothing is impossible just keep pushing.’ She will be very happy of course.”