Veteran ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates scored a 90.08 on Friday for their rhythm dance routine at the world championships in Montreal, putting the Americans on the cusp of a second consecutive world title.

Italians Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri were in second after notching a 87.52, and home favourites Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada held third with 86.51 ahead of Saturday's free dance.