Tear off at speed (4)
I believe the answer is:
rate
'speed' is the definition.
(both can mean pace)
'tear off' is the wordplay.
'off' indicates anagramming the letters.
'tear' is an anagram of 'RATE'.
'at' is the link.
(Other definitions for rate that I've seen before include "Be worthy of; speed" , "Charge per unit" , "Relative speed (of progress)" , "Adjudge" , "Capital of the Philippines" .)