Jonathan Rea finally broke Alvaro Bautista's dominance of the World Superbike championship with victory at Imola on Saturday.
Bautista had surged to 11 straight wins this season to assert his authority.
But reigning champion Rea ended that streak with a confident win in race one at Imola.
Rea passed pole sitter Chaz Davies on the opening lap and went on to win by 7.8 seconds from Bautista.
Toprak Razgatlioglu finished back in third.
The result leaves four-time World champion Rea 48 points behind Bautista in the standings.
Rea fired past Welshman Davies heading into turn four and pulled away from his rivals.
North West 200 event guide including Jonathan Rea chat show information
Davies had to retire on the opening circuit, with Ducati team-mate Bautista chasing Rea but unable to catch the Ulsterman.
Razgatlioglu beat Michael van der Mark and Leon Haslam in a thrilling podium battle, with Marco Melandri rounding out the top six.
"I needed that for my confidence, for my team and the championship," Rea told Eurosport.
"I couldn't not win and the I've been visualising winning this race all week. I think this track is a real rider's track and I was able to make a difference."
"The bike was really strong too. I hope I've found the sweet spot and we can keep this going on. The 10-lap Superpole race and the 20-lap race two will take place on Sunday."
Toomebridge rider Eugene Laverty did not race after fracturing both wrists in a first practice crash on Friday.
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