Jonathan Rea is just 11 points behind World Supersport series leader Andrew Pitt after winning Sunday's race at Vallelunga with a dominant display.
Rea was part of the leading pack early on but pulled away midway through the race, winning by almost three seconds.
Ballyclare man Rea's HannSpree Ten Kate Honda team-mate Pitt crashed out with four laps remaining.
Toomebridge rider Eugene Laverty claimed a fine third place, just behind his Yamaha team-mate Broc Parkes.
Laverty is deputising for the injured Fabien Foret while, for Rea, this was his third win of the season.
"For the first five laps, I could hear everyone battling behind me but then I was able to put the hammer down," explained Rea.
"Big credit to the team for giving me such a brilliant bike to ride.
"I managed to open enough of a lead to be able to watch the battle behind me on the big TV screens and it looked like a lot of fun!
"But it's a fantastic result for me and the team.
"The championship is still a possibility, and I relish the challenge, but we'll just take the last two races as they come and see what happens."
Laverty described the podium result as "the best day of my career".
"On Thursday I decided to part company with my 250 Blusens Aprilia team.
"I had high hopes of a strong second half to my season but promised parts didn't arrive and following big crashes in Misano and Indianapolis I realised things weren't going to get any better.
"My result today proves that I made the right decision and I'm so pleased to be back on the podium."
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~20~RS~)