The speed of a pale-faced top performer (4)
I believe the answer is:
pace
'the speed' is the definition.
(pace is a kind of speed)
'a pale-faced top performer' is the wordplay.
'a pale-faced' becomes 'p' (this might be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'top performer' becomes 'ace' (I've seen this in another clue).
'p'+'ace'='PACE'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pace that I've seen before include "Rate of progress" , "Step or tempo" , "speed of movement" , "With due respect" , "Speed of walking" .)