Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi has finally dialled in some feel to the front end of the Desmosedici GP11.1 and says that were it not for a gearbox issue, he would have taken seventh in yesterday's German MotoGP at the Sachsenring.

The Italian has further improved the bike's weight balance after altering the ride height by 20mm in Mugello, giving him some much-needed front grip and the ability to turn the bike where he would like. He has not yet decided whether to switch back to the GP11 for this weekend's Laguna race.

"It is coming better, we modify the weight balance for to improve the front feeling and finally I feel something on the bike. I improve my potential from the morning and the afternoon I make quite a good race for our situation," said The Doctor.

"I know I can battle maximum with Nicky and Bautista and I try a lot but unfortunately we had a problem to the gearbox from second to third and when I try to attack Nicky on the exit of the last corner I have this problem and also Bautista overtake me so I have to arrive behind, so I lose the battle.

"During practice I never like the bike so I don't push to the maximum but in the race I am faster. With the modifications, I can stop better the bike, take the corner in a better way with a better line so it is this that make the difference.

"Now we have to think what we will do in Laguna if we stay with this bike or try the old one, we still not decide. We have to talk and there are some positive and negative things. I have to speak to the guys to understand the situation."