He's the media's best friend. He's the favorite of just about every fan and he's a team manager's dream rider. Travis Pastrana has risen to a level of popularity that rivals, if not, surpasses that of eight-time national champion, Jeremy McGrath. But no matter how popular he gets, Pastrana always has time.

Travis Pastrana is a fan's fan. Even while the MotoWorld TV crew (far right) wait for an interview at the Atlanta SX, Pastrana can't resist signing autographs for the people that come to see him.

There is nothing easier than sitting down for an interview with Travis. If they were all this easy, sports journalists in general would have less gray hair. And he appreciates his fans so much, that his mechanic and the team personnel have to come out the to rail where Travis is signing his name like a mad man to tell him he's late for practice or an interview.

After a come from behind title chase in the 125cc East SX series Pastrana will head into the AMA Motocross series as the defending 125cc champion, making him one of the most sought-after riders on the circuit, (not that he wasn't before). MotoWorld's Dave Rieff was able to chat with Travis just before he engaged in heavy outdoor testing to reflect on the entire SX series and preview the upcoming motocross season.

MotoWorld.com: Let's talk about this year's Supercross title. How does it compare with last year's motocross title?

Travis Pastrana: The Supercross title is something I needed to accomplish before I moved up to the 250 class. The outdoor championship, being my first title is something that I will always remember and the SX title I will always remember but outdoor it's east and west together so I am definitely happy to have won that.

MW.com: And like any year, the competition was very tough.

TP: It was extremely tough. Nathan Ramsey was an awesome competitor. We had Nick Wey, Mike Brown, and Tallon Vohland, it was definitely what I expected plus more and I had a great season with great support from Suzuki.

MW.com: How tough was it to come from behind in the points like you did?

TP: Extremely tough. I went down in the first, well actually, I didn't even make it to the first corner in Atlanta when I tangled with Branden Jesseman. I landed on a Tuff Box, which probably saved my life. I got up and the bike was pretty much mangled and I got lapped for the first time in my pro career.

MW.com: You rode the 250 class early in the year. Did that help or hinder?

TP: The 250 class helped. Nothing really went right for me in that class this year. I was looking to do quite a bit better, but at the same time, it was a very humbling experience. I learned a lot and I know it's a different machine than the 125 and I feel very comfortable on the 250 but at the same time it allows you to push harder and in that case, I wreck a lot more.

MW.com: You will have the bulls-eye on your back in the 125 East/West shootout. Is that going to make it tougher for you?

TP: I'll definitely have that bulls-eye on my back for that race. Nathan Ramsey rode hard all season and then we'll be joined by the west coast riders. Grant Langston a world champion coming there and Ernesto Fonseca was there last year as well.

MW.com: And after that you have the nationals where you'll be sporting the number one plate.

TP: I'm riding the number one plate for the first time so I'm really excited to be coming into the outdoor season. When I first turned pro I thought I would shine in Supercross but now I look more toward the outdoor series and I can't wait. The 125 series is going to be extremely tough. Again, the world champion, Grant Langston will be there. I had to run against him last year in the des Nations. And there are so many other guys, you never know who is going to be in there.

MW.com: What's the key to retain that championship this year.

TP: Consistency is a big part of the outdoor series. It's longer and there are more riders. If you get a 40th place in a moto, it's almost impossible to make up. Last year, I came off a bad middle season, but I was able to make it up on Stephane Roncada. This year I expect it to be a lot tougher.

MW.com: Here are a few questions from the MotoWorld.com mail room. Tony Williams wants to know if you'd like to see the East and West Supercross regions come together and form one 16-race series?

TP: I would definitely like that. I think it would make the 125 class as good of a show, if not, better than the 250 class. But at the same time, the setup they have now is made for the privateers that want to come in and prove themselves and can't chase the whole circuit. That can get really expensive.

MW.com: Jose asks you why you are in such a hurry to jump to the 250 class next year.

TP: I obviously have a few more years I can stay in the 125 class and as an amateur, I always said I was going to stay in the 125 class for as long as I could. I'm anxious and I want to get in there with those guys.

MW.com: A lot of these questions ask about your dating situation. Are you an eligible bachelor?

TP: I am an eligible bachelor. It's just really difficult because I am home less than half the year. Right now I'm staying in Oklahoma with Robbie Reynard and earlier this year I was staying in Mississippi with Kevin Windham. I've never even been to a school dance and everyone says, 'man, you're missing out,' and maybe to an extent. I still talk to girls around the track but I would never give up my lifestyle for the world. I love what I do.

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