Speaking to the press on Thursday in Makole ahead of the evening reception in his native town, the 20-year-old once again took a look back at the amazing season, in which he won the championship with one race to spare.

Gajser said that the toughest part of the season, which he finished with 731 points, was the last part. The beginning was the easiest, because he had an excellent training camp and came to the first race in Qatar well prepared.

But his father and coach Bogomir Gajser was the only one back then who dared to predict that his son could win the championship, because it rarely happens that a debutant in the elite division dominates the competition.

"If someone thought after the win in Qatar that I was lucky, I showed in the coming races that I'm consistent. The last three races were certainly the toughest part, especially in Assen, where I had the chance to win the title, but I had bad luck," said Gajser.

The youngster, who failed to make it to the podium only twice in the 18 races, said that despite the fact that he was a debutant, he had made a good connection with the competitors, especially with the eight-time champion Antonio Cairoli of Italy.

The season has not actually ended yet for Gajser, as he is to participate in the Slovenian national championship in Šentvid pri Stični on Sunday, followed by the Nations Cup competition with the national team.

Gajser's team announced that the Slovenian will compete in the FIM Motocross World Championship next season, as he will try to defend the title. He has turned down for now offers from the US for a race or two because of the busy schedule.

It is already clear that the next season in the elite division will be even more competitive, given that Jeffrey Herlings of the Netherlands, the world championship winner in the MX2 category, is joining the competition.

Gajser is looking forward to the challenge. The championship will be even more interesting, as at least 15 racers will be capable of giving excellent performances, he said.