Gian van Veen has treated himself to a brand-new Audi Q8 ABT, an exclusive performance SUV with an estimated value of around 375,000 euros, after a season in which his career truly shifted into high gear. The 24-year-old Dutch top darter shared footage of the moment on Instagram on Tuesday, showing him taking delivery of his new car in Breda. Van Veen wrote proudly with the video: “I cannot stop smiling.” He also looked ahead to the many miles he will cover in the coming months on the road to tournaments. “At least I will be very comfortable on the road to all the events.”
The luxury vehicle is in a sense the reward for a period in which Van Veen firmly established himself among the world’s elite. The Dutchman enjoyed his major breakthrough on the biggest stage earlier this year by reaching the final of the World Darts Championship, cementing his status as one of the biggest talents within the PDC. His strong performances then earned him an invitation to the Premier League Darts, where he made his debut this year among the absolute world elite.
During the opening weeks, Van Veen immediately showed he belongs at the highest level. On the first night in Newcastle he went straight to the final, where he eventually lost to Michael van Gerwen. In the weeks that followed, Van Veen continued to impress by reaching the final of a night on three more occasions. However, his Premier League campaign also had its share of setbacks. Midway through the season, Van Veen was hit by kidney stones, which even forced him to miss a night. The physical issues troubled him for quite some time afterward, visibly affecting his performances.
Despite that difficult spell, Van Veen held his own in a demanding Premier League season. He ultimately finished seventh in the final standings, earning 85,000 pounds (just over 98,000 euros). Because the Premier League is an invitational event, that prize money does not count towards the world rankings. Van Veen is currently the world number three.
