Jorge Lorenzo claims first Moto GP world title

The Spaniard sealed the championship with three races left in a campaign that has brought him seven victories and top-four finishes in all 15 races. "It's an incredible feeling but one that is difficult to comprehend really," said the 23-year-old Yamaha rider.

"When you imagine what it would be like to be world champion it never quite matches the feeling of actually achieving it."

Lorenzo's consistency and injuries to his main rivals meant he only needed a top-ten finish in Malaysia, and after qualifying on pole the Spaniard was content to allow teammate Valentino Rossi battle Honda's Andrea Dovizioso for the race win.

Italy's Rossi, the outgoing champion, emerged from the dogfight with his first victory since the opening round of the season in Qatar, a race Lorenzo said was a defining moment in his triumphant campaign.

"At that moment, I thought it was going to be a more difficult season than the last (when he was runner-up to Rossi) but we got that second-place finish in Qatar and it gave me confidence.

"When I won in Jerez (Spain) in the next race, for me my most important victory, it started off a great run.

"From there I had seven wins and have only had two races without a podium finish. I couldn't ask for more."