It's very unfortunate how the news has come out, and, for all his other qualities, I feel Chris Hopkinson has acted unprofessionally, and in a very unsporting manner. I've unfriended him on FaceBook, which I imagine bothers him not a jot.
I am glad to hear Bruce is still riding, and I hope that he can set a mark that we can recognise, though, without the likes of UMCA and Guinness behind him, I imagine that there will be quibbles about the validity that will go round in circles forever, getting more and more heated.
Really not sure how this is going to turn out. I would have thought UMCA would have checked appropriate systems were in place before the start, otherwise it becomes a farce. Anyway, I wish him tailwinds and flint-free roads.