Backup every sync

Is it normal to have itunes backup your ipod every time that you sync?
I have the setting in preferences;syncing set to allow automatic syncing for all iphones and ipods and it backs up before syncing....
This is time consuming and not neccessary.
Maybe once per day etc, but not EVERY tme I sync it....

I think everybody is experiencing it. I can tell you that its actually only backing up the applications so the more apps you have the longer it takes. I have about 18 and I don't mind waiting; but if you do just click the "X" button in the display window at the top of iTunes.