The invention relates to a method for assisted upshifting in a gear change of a transmission connected to a combustion engine. The method comprises the initiation of an upshifting process. The method comprises the reduction of an engine speed of the combustion engine by switching to an engine-braking mode, wherein a variable valve gear, in particular a trip cam system, of the combustion engine serves for switching to the engine-braking mode. Alternatively or in addition, in the engine-braking mode a first exhaust valve of the combustion engine is at first kept closed during the compression stroke and/or during the exhaust stroke for the compression of air and is opened before reaching a top dead centre of a piston movement for decompression of the compressed air.