Stoner didn't expect title win in Japan

Sixth place was sufficient for the Ducati rider after his championship rival Valentino Rossi made an extra pit stop to check for a tyre problem and could only finish 13th.

Rossi had to score two points more than Stoner in Japan to keep the title fight alive. Although Stoner had charged past Rossi in the damp early laps, the Italian had more speed as the track dried and looked set to prolong the contest until having to return to the pits. Rossi's stop virtually guaranteed that Stoner would leave Motegi as world champion.

"It's a little bit unreal at the moment," said Stoner.

"I'm sort of struggling for words, I suppose. I don't think there's any real feeling that can compare to this. I think it's going to sink in a little bit more as I go on through today and into tomorrow.

"It's a little bit overwhelming because we didn't expect to get it at this race. We thought at the beginning of the race that everything was going well, then Valentino had a problem.

"I think it all came on me quite quickly, I didn't really expect to be world champion today."

The Australian said the race had been extremely difficult, especially on the drying track.

"The race started out quite well, I was in a happy position, but unfortunately my tyres started to destroy themselves and I didn't really know whether to come in or not," Stoner said.

"The team put 'box' on the board, so I had a bit more confidence to come in.

"But after I changed bikes I think there was a problem with the steering damper. The bike wouldn't allow me to tip into corners, so I had to slow down to unwind the steering damper as well so it would work. Then I started to find a little bit more of a rhythm."

After the traditional presentation to the top three finishers, Stoner was allowed to celebrate his title success from the podium.

He later paid tribute to his family, team and supporters.

"There's a lot of people I have to thank - my parents who have always been there for me and supported me through my whole career, my wife, who has been there through this season and the past few, and everybody who has helped me along the way - my whole team, Bridgestone tyres, everybody.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has put anything into my career. We finally did it."