Moto2 world championship leader Johann Zarco will not move up to MotoGP next season.

That is according to the Frenchman's manager, Laurent Fellon, who told the official MotoGP website:

"We made the decision to do one more year in Moto2 to once again fight for the title, like Pedrosa or Lorenzo did in their time. I think this will make him even stronger.

"Our goal is to win the World Championship. We'll have more openings in 2017 and we'll probably be able to get good bikes."

Fellon added that Zarco's only MotoGP offers had been from Pramac (Ducati) and Aspar (Honda), but also revealed "Johann will very likely be a MotoGP test rider in 2016."

The name of the manufacturer wasn't revealed, but could it be KTM?

KTM is preparing for a MotoGP debut in 2017 and is sure to have an extensive test schedule planned for next season.

The factory's title-winning Moto3 team manager, Aki Ajo, has unsurprisingly been linked with the premier-class project. Ajo is also Zarco's Moto2 team boss and the 25-year-old recently stressed the importance of being in a team run by the Finn.

"In 2011 in 125 I was with him [Ajo] and I could fight for the championship. After three years in Moto2 I come back with him and I'm fighting for the championship again," Zarco said. "It tells me to be careful [which team you join] because you have something really good."

Zarco, who holds a huge 85-point title lead, is thus set to try and become the first double Moto2 champion, a feat that looks to have eluded Tito Rabat this season. Rabat is however tipped for MotoGP in 2016.

Fellon confirmed that Zarco will remain with Ajo for Moto2 next season.