New Moto2 World Champion Pol Espargaro will enter next month’s season finale at Valencia on top of the world, the Spaniard clinching the title with victory at Motegi on Sunday.

The Tuenti HP 40 Pons Kalex rider gained an unassailable advantage with his sixth win of the season in Japan, taking advantage of an early crash involving injured title rival Scott Redding.

Redding had led on points from round four until last weekend in Australia, when he broke his wrist and missed the race. His return a week later in Japan was a brave, but ultimately unsuccessful last-ditch effort.

“I can’t explain my feelings in words – I feel like I am flying,” Espargaro said. “Later we have to think about what we did, and to enjoy the championship when we get home.

“It was a title of a group, of the big family that is my team. I want to congratulate them. It was a difficult year for us, my teammate Rabat and Scott were so fast, until unfortunately Scott crashed in Australia.

“I did some mistakes at the start, but we kept on fighting. Now I can enjoy Valencia with my people without thinking about the championship.”

Espargaro has already been confirmed as Cal Crutchlow’s replacement at Monster Energy Tech3 Yamaha in 2014 alongside Bradley Smith, where he will join 2011 and 2012 Moto2 champions Stefan Bradl and Marc Marquez in the premier class.