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2 Twin Cities Women Use Cycling To Empower Young Women

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two Minnesota women have accomplished most of their goals. When they're not running their own successful businesses, they're winning national cycling races.

Now Danielle Pellicano and Angie Rake are hoping their new challenge will inspire young girls here in the Twin Cities.

Calling Pellicano hardcore is surely an understatement. Her desire to win was the driving force behind her professional soccer career, later transitioning into endurance sports of Ironman competitions and cycling. And even starting her own coaching business in St. Louis Park.

You could say two worlds collided when she met her friend and fellow cycling nut Angie Rake.

"We do everything to the best that we can, so cycling, entrepreneurs, owning our own businesses," Pellicano said.

But one day, the two had a realization.

"At this point in our cycling careers we have kind of attained all of the accolades for ourselves personally," she said. "Cycling has been something that we sought out for fun but then when we realized we were so good at it we were like why aren't we racing all the time for something bigger than ourselves."

Danielle and Angie decided to use their cycling to support the Women's Foundation of Minnesota's girlsBEST fund, which works to break down economic barriers for young girls and build up their confidence.

"It was so important for us to be a role model on the bike as a vehicle of the bigger picture which is be the best you can be at it but also that it takes hard work it takes discipline confidence to want to do it," Pellicano said.

They've named their team Possiamo which is Italian for "we can." They're raising money in each race this season to support the girlsBEST fund.

Their races are all over from California, Nebraska, Minnesota and Colorado. They're currently training to be the first all-female tandem racing team to complete Leadville 100 in Colorado in August.

If you' like to cheer them on and help their efforts to support the girlsBEST Fund, visit: http://www.wattsforwomen.com/

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