Fernando Alonso rides MotoGP Honda

Honda's annual 'Thanks Day' at Motegi saw the factory's two- and four-wheel grand prix stars experience some special machinery.

Repsol Honda MotoGP riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa both got to make their 500cc two-stroke debut, riding some ex-Freddie Spencer bikes on the Saturday.

Sunday's final day then began with a Kart race followed by the CBR250 Dream Cup race (8 laps), where Pedrosa and Marquez finishing first and second respectively from the back of the grid.

They also took part in the N-One Exhibition car race (3 laps) this time with Marquez first and Pedrosa second, before some more NSR500 and RC213V demo laps.

But the biggest surprise was McLaren Honda's F1 star Fernando Alonso making his MotoGP debut on an RC213V - alongside Marquez, who was at the wheel of the NSX. The pair then exchanged helmets.

"Once again we've had a good time at the Honda thanks day!" Marquez said. "It's a nice opportunity to meet the other HRC and Honda riders and have a chance to ride and drive many vehicles! Of course this included riding our MotoGP machine, but also the CBR 250, the new Honda NSX and the unbelievable NSR500!

"It's been great to spend this time with the Honda family and I look forward to next year. This is the last event of the year for me and Honda, so I would like to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy New Year! Let's hope 2016 is a good year for all of us."

Pedrosa added: "It's been a really good weekend! I had the chance to have some fun and behave like a kid once again, playing with some very special toys! We drove some great cars and also had a chance to ride the NSR500, whilst enjoying ourselves with other riders and drivers.

"It was good to hang out together, talk about our seasons and see and drive Honda's new and old vehicles. I'd like to take this final chance to wish all our fans a very Happy Christmas!"

As well as Marquez, Pedrosa and Alonso other Honda stars performing for the 18,500 spectators included Takuma Sato, Toni Bou, Takashisa Fujinami, Jaime Busto, Takumi Takahashi, Hiroshi Aoyama and Kosuke Akiyoshi, and ten drivers from the Super GT series (GT500) National Championship Super Formula.