Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi has said he is happy with the new quickshift gearbox the factory have rushed through for this weekend's Assen MotoGP round, saying it works as well in the wet as the dry.

The Doctor first tested the 'seamless' gearbox, which works in a similar way to Honda's, at Mugello last week after telling team chief Filippo Preziosi at the start of the season the 'standard' box was too slow and felt like Yamaha's.

"After the first test in Valencia, I speak with Filippo before I knew Honda had their gearbox because I feel the gearbox of the GP11 is slower than the gearbox of the M1 so I say to Filippo we need to do something as quick as possible," said Rossi

"Filippo then started to work on the system and bring me the gearbox in Mugello last week. We try with the 1000cc, the feeling is very good so we can use also in the 800.

"I am very happy and it is the first time we try in the wet and I have a good feeling from the beginning and no problem to ride the bike and the gearbox helps the acceleration.

"Everybody was very worried about this gearbox but from the first time in Mugello it was ok in the dry and this morning in the wet it was no problem. The main advantage is the acceleration."