How can I turn off android market sync while roaming? I had an issue with an travel now. I turned off sync on my android device and urned on data while roaming. 

I expected that no sync would occur while in this setting, but suddenly the automatic marketing updates turned in and before I could turn it off it had downloaded a large number of MB's of automatic upgraded apps at a ridiculous rate. 

I find it terrible hard to believe that Google has let this issue slip? Is this a known issue with Android or a bug?
I'd say that automatic updating isn't syncing, and not a bug.  You can turn off auto-update in the settings for the Market.

If you don't want to use data while roaming, shut it off while roaming or turn off data roaming.

If you occasionally want to browse or something without running the risk of having anything else use data, use something like DroidWall (requires root).  You could configure it to only allow the browser, for example.