Azure Expressroute Gateway Required?

Hello, 

I am in the process of setting up Azure Expressroute between my on-premise network and the Azure network. I have the circuit created, virtual circuits created, and BGP set up. 

I am a bit confused on the next steps. From my understanding, Expressroute does not require a VPN Site to Site setup as it is a private link between my network and the Azure network. However, it seems I am forced to set up the VPN Site to Site and gateway configs so I can link the VNET to the circuit. Can someone give me an idea of what my exact next steps are? I have been following the instructions in the links below:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/expressroute-howto-vnet-portal-classic/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/expressroute-howto-linkvnet-classic/

https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBwQFjAAahUKEwiu3KKzuJzJAhUCRI4KHeiSDRI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.microsoft.com%2Ffwlink%2Fp%2F%3FLinkId%3D615122&usg=AFQjCNHQz_hz300z3IZoOb1xUC5-Xmzdgg&sig2=mh9HOBNT-JgUe3kx86Ws6g&bvm=bv.107763241,d.c2E&cad=rja

Once I get this set up properly, how do I establish the connection and confirm the connection is established?

Thank you,

Mark